Schools cope with reduced funding
Local schools meet face challenges
Midway through the school year, local school districts are doing what they can to deal with the $1 billion dollar education cut passed by state legislators over the summer — which translates to $470 per pupil in lost funding. Some schools are going strong, while others are close to buckling under the weight of massive deficits.
“For about the last nine years we’ve been making cuts steadily,” says Larry Schilling, superintendent of Whiteford Agricultural Schools. “The problem we’re facing is that the cuts are getting so big that there’s not much left to cut.”
The school currently has a survey on its website, where the public can give its input on whether it would support a millage, how large the millage should be and how the money should be spent. Proposed projects, which range in cost from $15,000 to $280,000, include replacement of asbestos floor tiles in the middle school and high school, an energy management system to reduce heating and cooling expenses, new windows and doors to improve insulation, upgraded football facilities and more.
Britton Deerfield superintendent Chuck Pelham says while the district managed to cut costs and streamline services by consolidating, this year has been especially challenging.
Scott Moellenberndt, superintendent of Blissfield Schools, says although state funding has been drastically reduced, the district is doing all right thanks to responsible fiscal practices and community support.
Copyright 2012 River Raisin Publications, Inc. For James McClenathen's full story with interviews of superintendents from Britton Deerfield, Blissfield and Whiteford school districts, please pick up a copy of the Jan. 11, 2012, Advance. To subscribe, just call 517-486-2400 and receive it every week in your mailbox.
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