Marleau, McMillin Update School Audience on State Budget Cuts

More than 100 people gathered Monday night at the Administration Building to hear an update from legislators about the status of proposed state funding cuts to education.

State Sen. Jim Marleau (R-12th District) and state Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45th District), along with the district's assistant superintendent for business, Bill Mull, spoke to the audience about the proposed cuts and the effects those cuts will have on Rochester schools.

"We wanted the community to have an opportunity to engage in conversation with their legislators," said Annette Testa-Young, Rochester PTA council legislative chairwoman. "We understand that the business community is important, but we really feel they go hand in hand, and the governor's plan is not taking education into account."

Rochester schools face a $17 million shortfall for the 2011-12 school year. Part of that shortfall is because of potential per-pupil funding cuts by the state.

The district will likely fill the shortfall with about $3 million in cutbacks and by borrowing $14 million from its fund balance.

On Monday night, parents, teachers, residents and even a few children occupied every chair in the room during the Community Conversation event, and many more stood along the edges of the room. Some even claimed a spot in the balcony overlooking the audience and speakers.

The event began with statements from Marleau, McMillin and Mull, then moved on to a question-and-answer session with Marleau and McMillin, who represent Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township.

"The governor is basically setting $200 million aside," Marleau said. "This is where we're at, and hopefully, we can keep it as tight as $100 per pupil instead of the $470 per pupil we started at Feb. 17."

"Really, we haven't been dealing in reality in Lansing because the federal government has bailed us out," said McMillin. "The last three years, the feds have bailed us out so that we didn't have to do and make the tough decisions."

In his comments, Mull reminded the audience that Gov. Rick Snyder's plan to provide an additional $200 in per-pupil funding "has not yet been finalized."

Additionally, he said, if the district chose not to make any cuts to its budget, it would immediately reduce the fund balance by $17 million, which Mull said "is akin to pulling the rug out from under the district."

He added that he does not believe funding cuts will total only $100 per pupil.

"In the best case, I see $270," Mull said.