Clarkston schools will have the latest in learning opportunities, no matter what. That’s the message from Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts.
‘It may not seem fair, but as the superintendent of schools, I will continue to bring programs that reach varying needs of our students and provides 21st-century learning opportunities,? Roberts said.
Along with state and federal funding cuts, Clarkston Community Schools administration cited new programs such as International Baccalaureate (IB), Fast ForWord, all day kindergarten, and trimester scheduling to explain why it was $13 million in the hole.
All-day kindergarten and trimesters were both put on the chopping block along with 160 other budget-cut items. They were later granted a reprieve and placed on a list for ‘future considerations.?
Cuts to International Baccalaureate include eliminating IB coordinator hour, $9,000; and reduce IB release hours for Creativity, Action, and Service programs, $18,000, for a total of $27,000.
According to an Expenditure Summary Report for International Baccalaureate, dated Dec. 4, 2009 and covering July 1, 2009-June 30, 2010, the program’s budget is $504,523.78.
Budget items include $7,000 for field trips; $14,000 for conferences and registrations; $51,508 for teaching supplies and materials; $64,984.78 for textbooks; $14,500 for office supplies; $3,600 for software; $26,000 for new technology; and $41,465 for dues and fees; for a total of $504,523.78.
A total of $171,430.71 was spent, as of Dec. 4, including $5,863.34 for conferences; $112.90 for teaching supplies; $38,131.92 for textbooks; $1,725.76 for office supplies; $19,314.80 for technology; and $11,805 for dues and fees.
‘We have incurred IB costs for three years as we went through the application and authorization processes,? Roberts said. ‘This is the first year of the program and most of the costs you are questioning are one-time purchases.?
Training has taken place over the past two years, he said.
‘The bottom line is that IB will cost less next year, as we are planning to restructure to raise class size,? he said.
The budget total is several times larger than previously provided to The Clarkston News, as well as members of Clarkston Board of Education.
Checking her school board handouts, Vice President Susan Boatman has an IB budget of $51,900 for fiscal year 2008, $58,800 for 2009, and $36,800, 2010. ‘A report dated March 4, 2010, shows $106,633 spent in the 2009 fiscal year, she said.
Trustee Joan Patterson said she has been uneasy with how the school handled finances and operations for the past 18 months.
‘We have asked for detailed reports but have not yet received what we requested,? Patterson said. ‘I have also asked to review our financial processes to assess if we have the information we need to make decisions.?
School board members need to understand costs and benefits of each program, Patterson said.
Trustee Rosalie Lieblang agreed.
‘I don’t’receive copies of this report by program, although it would be very helpful,? she said. ‘In my opinion, having the cost/benefit information for every program in our district will be’necessary’as we continue to work on achieving a balanced budget beyond next year.?
School board members? job is to oversee the district’s’policies and its finances and act as citizens? representatives, Lieblang said.
‘The only way I can effectively do that’is to ask for clarification and additional information when necessary, which is what I have been doing,? she said. ‘Each board member may look at issues differently and may require’varying levels of information to do so.??
The value of a seven-member board is in each member’s diverse experience and backgrounds, she said.
‘I see’debate and discussion, which is’a premise’of’our democracy,’as a tremendous advantage, not as a disadvantage,? she said.
The school board will consider 119 budget cuts at next week’s meeting, March 22, which include laying off at least 40 teachers and about 70 other employees.
‘In making budget reductions, one of the administration’s goals was not to eliminate programs unless what was being cut rendered the program ineffective,? Boatman said. ‘There is very little curriculum being targeted in the proposed budget cuts.?
‘We are making cuts to the IB program, but not eliminating it,? said Board President Steve Hyer. ‘It is a school of choice program and has and will continue to bring kids and consequently revenue to our district.?
Clarkston has one student from out of district in IB, according to administration.
Fast ForWord is not included on the budget-cut list. The school district is implementing the computer-based program, which cost $370,400 to purchase, in each building.
‘We are using current staff and computer labs this year as well as in the future,? Roberts said. ‘Aside from the annual maintenance fee, approximately $50,000 total, I do not anticipate any significant costs for this program.?
Roberts also said discussing current and past cuts is not productive.
‘The district is looking for next year’s cuts,? he said.
The Clarkston News submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for Expenditure Summary Reports for Fast Forward, as well as CSM Tech and All-Day Kindergarten for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.
‘If you prefer to have this type of relationship, we will all need to play by the rules,? Roberts responded. ‘There are time lines, extensions and costs under such a formal system. If you are choosing to FOIA the information, I will have our FOIA coordinator contact you with the approximate cost and timelines for response.?
Confirmation of the FOIA request was emailed March 12. The FOIA coordinator has not yet made contact.
Treasurer Joe Armstrong, Secretary Cheryl McGinnis, and Trustee Barry Bomier did not respond to requests for comment.