Two weeks before Clarkston Board of Education approves the 2007-2008 budget, calls for more cuts keep coming.
‘We have to continue looking,? said Trustee Karen Foyteck at the June 11 school board meeting. ‘I can’t say, just go for it and hope and pray that we get a remedy in the next few months. We can’t rely on the state to provide a miraculous cure ? this is very depressing and scary.?
The board is required by the state to approve its budget by the end of June ? public hearing and approval is set for the June 25 board meeting.
The proposed budget includes $73.8 million in revenue, mostly from the state, and $77.2 million in expenditures ? a difference of about $3.48 million. The deficit budget would reduce the district’s fund balance next year from $7.8 million to $4.3 million.
So far, administration has made $3.9 million in budget cuts, out of $5.6 million approved by the board earlier this year. Most of the pending cuts, about $900,000 total, are retirement costs and teacher salaries still under negotiation.
Board members called on administration to move forward with some pending cuts, such as $35,000 in conference registrations. Others, however, such as a proposed cut of $210,000 to school art programs, will not be made, said Superintendent Al Roberts.
‘The loss of an elementary elective is not in the plans tonight,? he said. ?(But) who knows what will happen down the line ? there may be a need to revisit it later.?
Two weeks before approval, ongoing state budget issues, including school funding, means budget difficulties will continue into next year, said board Secretary Ronald Sullivan.
‘We’re going to have more amendments next year than we’ve ever had,? Sullivan said. ‘There’s so much information we don’t have yet, and won’t know until some settlement is made (by the state).?
Even with budget cuts this and next year, the district’s financial future is uncertain, said Bruce Beamer, executive director of business services.
‘Next year looks just as bad,? Beamer said. ‘Eduction needs a growing revenue source ? it can’t just be additional students.?
The district should not count on increased student enrollment to save its budget, he said.
‘If the state continues down the fiscal path it is on now, not only will Clarkston be in this extreme distress, so will virtually every school district in the area,? Roberts said. ‘We’ve put together a plan that will produce at least one more year of normal programming for the kids.?
The school board meets at the district Administration Building, 6389 Clarkston Road. Call 248-623-5400 for more information.