Budget cuts will be inevitable, but the Lake Orion School Board has decided they want more information on some items before making any final decisions.
Additional information on several budget reduction proposals for the 2006-2007 school year, including the potential closing of the Moose Tree Nature Preserve building, was to be presented at the board’s next meeting, April 26 at Carpenter Elementary School.
At a previous meeting, President Leeann Bartley also wanted to know more about the plan to move the alternative adult education program, Learning Options, from the CERC to Lake Orion High School.
‘We need clarification and a further detailed plan,? she said.
The measure would save the district $238,190, but the board heard from at least one Learning Options teacher who said she believed some of her students could be adversely affected by the move, as they had stated they did not think they would perform well in a larger high school environment.
The board also wants more information about the proposal to limit transportation for all sports other than football to one-way.
‘So before we make that actual reduction, we want to make sure they have a feasible plan, and also for the safety of the kids,? said Bartley.
Fees for pay-to-play athletics would increase by $50, to $150 at the middle school level, and to $200 at the high school.
‘There would be a cap on the family amount,? Vice President Bob Gritzinger said.
There is also a plan to charge for middle school athletic events, and the board wants to know for what events and how much will be charged.
The board will also do more research on the administrative extern position at Paint Creek Elementary, and the plan for the Moose Tree building.
Secretary Tina Peterson also asked the board to look more closely at the theater program at Lake Orion High School, as district rentals were proposed to be cut by $58,870.
Also, the board plans to increase the student parking fee at LOHS by $5, to $60.
Bartley said the board has spent an ‘unbelievable? amount of time going over the proposed reductions.
‘It’s all been discussed, but we want to make sure there’s a plan, and it will all be ok,? she said.
Bartley added that no formal action will be taken to approve the budget until June.