Dear editor,
I am once again compelled to write regarding what I believe to be some of the most preposterous budget recommendations I have heard from Lake Orion Community Schools in the last 10 years.
Nowhere do we see any direct cuts to our central office support staff budget, which is close to $1,000,000. These people have absolutely no impact on student achievement and in fact have no contact with the students whatsoever.
Can we honestly think reducing the FSCs, middle school assistant principals and one police liaison will not affect the daily lives of our students?
These positions touch our students lives directly and are, in some cases, the only people in the schools some children can turn to in times of crisis or just when they need someone to talk to.
Without these people, we could be jeopardizing more than academic achievement in our students, we could be jeopardizing their lives.
As far as eliminating art as a special from the elementary, how do we expect to attract new community members to our school district if we can’t offer programs that are not only an essential part of some kids lives, but are also considered an important part of learning.
Can you really cut art classes and still even consider having a fine arts school?
The idea is ridiculous. Why art and not music or drama, which is only offered in one elementary school anyway and costs the district $98,563 in salary per a report dated July 9, 2009.
Reducing the Gap program coordinator funding to save $57,000 is also beyond my comprehension. This program is vital to over 1,800 kids that might otherwise have nowhere else to go.
Seems voting to keep the election in May rather than move it to November, which would have potentially saved us at least $40,000 a year, was an important issue.
This change would definitely have no impact on our students, yet a 6 to 1 vote showed the community how you really feel. Our high school is a very competitive athletic school and as such there are a vast number of students that will only get to participate in Gap programs.
If you reduce the funding of the coordinator can you really expect the same number of participants?
Eliminating seven staff members from Special Ed and then saying there will be minimal impact on the students doesn’t even seem logical with our ever growing special education population. These students can be affected tremendously by that type of change?
It was also stated that a 3.5 percent reduction in staff salary and benefits be recommended and a board member proposed that our top administrators lead by example and take up to a 5 percent cut. Do you really think that is enough?
According to a document prepared as of 1dec. 4, 2009, and 8 percent across the board cut would save us $5.8 million.
Make the cuts that have no impact on the students from the presented recommendations/analyses and then adjust that percentage accordingly.
Another item I believe needs to be considered is our fund balance. You cannot expect the staff to except wage cuts without using more of the fund balance for the 2010-2011 school year.
I understand all the reasons why we need a fund balance, but we don’t want to be known as the school district with the largest “rainy day” fund and no programs to offer our students.
If we continue to cut programs more people will choose to send their students to choice schools and less people will more into our community
Are these recommendations really what is “best for kids”, or just what can save the easiest and quickest amount of money.
Sincerely,
Lisa Hutchison
Lake Orion