UCS Approves 2013-2014 Budget

The Utica Community Schools Board of Education Monday approved a $266 million budget for the upcoming budget year.

“Thanks to the hard work of this Board of Education and administration, the programs and staff we have in our classrooms will be maintained for students during the next school year,” Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns said in a statement.  “This will provide stability for our students and families.”

According to district officials, the budget will "will provide program stability for students and families and continued support for the district’s K-12 curriculum improvements."

The budget, officials state, will also support the district’s instructional mission in areas including: 

• Providing continued focus on career and college readiness programs, such as the University of Michigan-Flint partnership, Advance Placement and Early College-Dual Enrollment.
  
• Establishing consistent instructional levels, including overall maintenance of class size levels within established guidelines.
  
• Maintaining current programs and services, including extra-curricular offerings, specialty programs and English Language Learners and special education services.
• Supporting district-wide teaching and learning initiatives, such as further technology implementation, digital content for elementary math, science, and media modules, an expansion of a blended learning model into first grade and resources for identified K-12 focus schools.

“The approved budget maintains our focus on developing skills in our students to solve problems and develop different pathways to learning,” Johns added.  “We remain committed to changes that will give UCS graduates the competitive edge in a global society and an evolving job market.”