Budget Discussions Begin for Schools

could face as much as a $6.7 million budget shortfall under proposed budget cuts.

School board members began discussing the 2011-2012 budget in closer detail Monday and will continue more in-depth talks next month. A proposal in Lansing to reduce state funding by $430 per pupil could leave the district with a deficit of $6.3 to $6.7 million.

Among some of the solutions to combat the potential shortfall, the board is considering increasing the number of students per teacher and possible reductions in staff. 

Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Chris Fenton told board members some of the decisions being made in Lansing may result in legal action and may delay some until after the budget is required to be passed, which is June 30. 

"I don't think it'll be the $430 per pupil reduction," Fenton said. "I think it'll be less."

Nonetheless, the board still must prepare in the event the final number is $430 per pupil. 

Brandon Walsh, the board treasurer, encouraged parents to pay close attention to what's going on in Lansing, describing the actions as unprecedented and emphasizing the importance for parents to be knowledgeable. 

"I appreciate and value everyone's opinion but make sure you have your own, and it's as well informed as possible, because there is never as many moving parts as there are now," Walsh said. 

Superintendent C. Suzanne Klein told the board she and employees districtwide are "watching carefully" for the decisions made at the state level. She wants to maintain the ability to provide top quality education and programming for students but recognizes the need to consider the vulnerability of long-term funding that not so long ago was dependable. 

She also emphasized the ability to maintain quality in the long-term picture. 

Meanwhile, Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit) who represents Detroit, the Pointes and Harper Woods, announced this week a plan to introduce a constitutional amendment protecting the state's School Aid Fund. 

The fund is where the money distributed among the schools throughout the state is drawn from, but Gov. Rick Snyder is proposing to remove the monies to the general fund and reorganize the school funding to help the overall Michigan budget.  

Johnson and other senators are planning to introduce the amendment the next time the legislature is to be in session, which is about two weeks, he said. About 12 senators worked on the amendment, which Johnson described as simple and to the point. 

The amendment, if passed by the legislature, would go before a general election by the residents of Michigan. It essentially protects the fund, explaining it was established specifically to address education funding only and would prohibit any other use of the funds, Johnson said. 

At this point Johnson feels confident about the amendment gaining support. Many of the Michigan legislators are parents themselves, he said, noting they would hate to see "corporate raiding" of the fund.

The intent is to pass it through legislature as quickly as possible to prevent the change from happening, he said.