As part of their three-year spending reduction plan, the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education approved Phase I of their budget reductions for the fiscal year 2004 at the March 10 regular meeting.
The reductions, which will lower the general fund by approximately $900,000, include the following:
·Eliminate the general fund contribution to Community Education and Early Childhood programs by approximately $162,000 and $40,000.
Deputy Superintendent Dave Reschke said this will likely result in modest increases for fees for Community Education programs and Early Childhood participation and may result in the elimination of nonprofitable activities by Community Education.
·Eliminate the general fund contribution to the food service program by approximately $48,000.
This will likely result in modest increases in lunch prices and snack prices, Reschke said.
·Reduce the general fund contribution to athletics by approximately $100,000, making the contribution equal one percent of the overall district budget.
Reschke said this will require transferring maintenance service fees from the athletic budget to grounds and maintenance budgets; and require program reductions in salaries for coaches, reductions in equipment and supply budgets.
About a $40,000 savings is estimated in coaching salaries due to retirements and replacements.
Along with this budget reduction may come a student participation fee by 2005; and a reduction in participation rates in some sports or the elimination of some sports by 2005.
It will also probably delay the addition of new sports, and may reduce district provided transportation.
·Eliminate the general fund payment for one police liaison position of $40,000, reducing service for K-8 programs to emergency only.
This will eliminate liaison instruction support in drug and safety education for K-8, making health teachers and others fill in in this area, Reschke said.
The K-8 schools will have to rely on the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department for problems with crime in the school community, with the liaison position cut.
·Eliminate district funding for curricular field trips by approximately $45,000.
This is only a one-year-old program that will now see elimination of day time mandatory field trips unless financial support is provided through fundraising or other contributions, Reschke said.
·Maintain a basic transportation system to help contain costs.
This will require the continued use of shuttles at crowded schools and on crowded runs, and the continued reduction of stops and rerouting of the transportation system.
Cost increases in fuel will be balanced by reductions in maintenance, or the increased use of shuttles, Reschke said.
·Increase class sizes.
This will most likely occur in grades K-3.
A minimum of three teaching positions, out of the district’s 400 teachers, will be cut, saving the district $140,000 in salaries and benefits, Reschke said.
Split classes at the elementary level may be increased, small load classes at the high school may be consolidated, and/or fewer electives may be offered to students in grades 6-12 as well. This may allow the district to discontinue the use of some of their portables.
·Reduce special education program costs by $75,000.
This will require cost sharing for clerical support at Clarkston High School and Renaissance High School.
It may reduce the CHS attendance counseling support position to part time, reduce the clerical support at RHS, and will reduce per pupil allocations for special