Stumbling through the fog of state funding for education, Clarkston school officials have at least two rays of hope.
One, the district’s business department earned a Certificate of Financial Excellence and auditors? highest rating for accuracy this year, a repeat performance.
‘You should be proud of that,? said Christina Kostiuk, auditor with Plante Moran.
Second, preliminary counts indicate Clarkston’s student enrollment is up this year.
‘These are very preliminary numbers,? said Deputy Superintendent David Reschke to the school board Monday.
Official counts are made in October, but early numbers show an increase of as many as 75 students. School funding from the state is calculated per student, $7,332 each for Clarkston, so it could mean more than $500,000.
But that’s only about half a percent of the district’s $74.8 million budget, said Bruce Beamer, executive director of business services.
Several other budget numbers are not yet set this year ? a tentative teacher-contract agreement has been reached, but won’t be final until next month. Completion of the state budget on time in October is uncertain, Beamer said.
‘We’re blindfolded,? said Trustee Karen Foyteck. ‘It’s only logical to keep doing what we’re doing, spending carefully, until we get a better indication of what will happen.?
‘We’re shooting in the dark,? said Treasurer Ronald Sullivan.
Budget figures should harden up through October, Beamer said.
The school board will review revenues and expenditures, compare them to Beamer’s estimates, and make adjustments as needed.