Though the economy in Michigan has been in a slump for years, Clarkston Schools managed to increase revenues year-to-year. The district is expected to collect $74.9 million in general fund revenue for the 2005-06 fiscal year ? up more than $5 million from the previous year.
However, the district also experienced two large increases in expenditures over the last two years and, for the first time in five years, expects to post a significant decrease in the general fund balance at the end of the school year.
Anita Banach, director or marketing and communications, said the singificant increase in expenditures is largely due to the operation costs of new facilitiues and rising transportation costs.
For school years ending in 2002-2005, the Clarkston School district posted a surplus of major fund revenue with a combined total of more than $13 million. This money increased the district’s general fund balance, which is maintained between fiscal years to offset deficits. Current projections from the district put their fund surplus at approximately $16.6 million, up approximately $2.5 million from last year.
However, the district is expected to post a $4.8 million deficit this year, which would bring their general fund balance down to approximately $11.7 million for 2006.
The current 19.241 non-homestead millage request would effect the allocation of approximately $7.9 million of revenue for the district, just slightly below last year’s total for local income of approximately $8 milllion.
Non-homestead (local) income increased from $5.3 million in 2000 to $8 million in 2005. Current projections estimate the district will collect approximately $8.7 million in local income this year.
General fund revenue for the district has shown steady increases since 2000, according to numbers released by Plante Moran auditors. In 2000, the district reported approximately $50.8 million in general fund revenue compared to approximately $69.1 million in 2005. Current projections by the district expect $74.9 million in general fund revenue.
The consistent revenue increases are offset however by increases in expenditures. Classroom instruction costs have consistently risen from approximately $32 million in 2000 to approximately $41.7 million in 2005.
General fund expenditures totaled approximately $54 million in 2000 compared to $66 million in 2005. All figures were obtained from Plante Moran audit reports or internal projections by the district’s administration.
Look in next week’s issue of The Clarkston News for a more detailed look at expenditures and salaries in the district.

Per Pupil Funding
After a three year freeze in increases all districts received an additional $175 per pupil for the 2004-2005 school year. Per-pupil funding is determined in relation to student population. At this time, Clarkston currently receives funding for approximately 8,100 students. The following is a breakdown of the per-pupil funding for the 2005-06 school year for schools in Oakland County. All figures were determined using a Plant Moran audit r erport for 2004 and adding the $175 increase.

Birmingham $11,930
Southfield $10,977
Lamphere $10,435
Troy $8,961
West Bloomfield $8,802
Avondale $8,137
Rochester $7,982
Lake Orion $7,934
Oxford $7,133
Clarkston $7,122
Brandon $6,875
Holly $6,875