By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
An impending budget shortfall of about $4.2 million, has led the Lake Orion School board to adopt a limited Schools of Choice program for next year, which opens up the district to outside students.
The board voted, 6-1, to adopt the plan which would be open only to children in kindergarten, first and second grades. The district also will allow former Lake Orion students from any grade, who may have moved outside of the district, to return and to allow outside children into the district’s Learning Options program.
Superintendant Marion Ginopolis said the administration recommended the move based largely on declining enrollment, the subsequent loss of revenue, and a reduction in the amount of state aid revenue per student.
‘Michigan’s economy, loss of state aid revenue, increased expenses and declining enrollment have taken their toll on the district’s school budget,? she said. ‘This year, enrollment has declined by more than 160 students from 2011-12 and is expected to decline by at least another 60 students next year. This translates to a loss of over $1.8 million in revenue to Lake Orion Community Schools.?
Please see Page 6 of The Lake Orion Review for a guest column written by Ginopolis explaining the district’s decision.
The decision to add revenue by seeking more students will help but it may not be enough to offset the projected budget shortfall of $4.2 million next year, which might mean layoffs and some reduced services.
Lake Orion Schools of Choice will be open to approximately 175 students in kindergarten through second grade at elementary schools where there is identified space available. The district also will be expand its Learning Options program to accept some students from other districts. In addition, the district also will make this option available to former resident students at any grade level who have attended Lake Orion schools but whose families have had to move out of the school district.
Heidi Kast, assistant superintendant of curriculum, instruction and assessment, said the district is seeking about 50 students in kindergarten, 54 in first grade and 43 in second grade. The target numbers are flexible she said.
‘We are more than ready to accept these students and will do with them as we would our own,? Kast said.
Additional students will be sought in the Learning Options program and by returning students whose parents may have moved from the district.
An influx of about 175 students would mean more than $1.3 million in extra revenue.
Board members spoke in favor of the move, saying it would help protect the district’s existing programs and services. The only board member who voted against the measure was Connie Meech.
‘This has been a difficult decision for the board,? said board member Birgit McQuiston. ‘We are a board that has generally opposed schools of choice in the past.?
McQuiston noted that she and other board members went to Lansing and lobbied against schools of choice. Many other of the 27 school districts in Oakland County have adopted a schools of choice program.
‘To come full circle, it’s an odd feeling to be put in this position,? McQuiston said. ‘I’m looking at it from a position of what is best for all students. ?
There may be some in our community who won’t like opening the district to outsiders, she said, but the move is the right decision because the district can maintain some control because of limited enrollment to those in lower grades.
‘I see it as a win for our community and a win for our district,? McQuiston said. ‘If we don’t do something we will have empty buildings and the problem will be bigger.?
The board voted to enact its Schools of Choice program for one year. The board will have to revisit the program next year and could determine where they want to continue it, end it or expand it to additional grades.
Administrators would review factors like attendance, student achievement, and discipline.
If the district’s Schools of Choice is discontinued, those students who are enrolled would be allowed to remain.
There will be no transportation services from Lake Orion Schools for any student in the Schools of Choice program. Parents would be responsible for all transportation.
Board member Bill Holt suggested the district may need to market the Schools of Choice program to let parents in nearby districts know about the opportunity to come to Lake Orion.