School Leaders To Detail Budget Cutback Proposals Tonight

Faced with a budget deficit that will be between $8.7 million and $9.5 million, leaders of are studying which programs will need to be cut or scaled back next year.

Last week, a school leader said the media specialist, para-educator and learning consultant programs would likely not be among the choices. The possibility that these programs could be affected by cutbacks have triggered passionate concerns from the public. 

Dan Romzek, the district's assistant superintendent for business, presented Board of Education members with an outline of the 2012-13 budget during a study session last Monday. 

Tonight, he and members of the administration team will offer their preliminary recommendations for cutbacks. "I don't anticipate" those three programs will be on the list, Romzek said.

The district's budget is scheduled to be approved on June 18.

Here's a look at how the numbers are shaping up:

The projected budget

There is about $800,000 in uncertainty in next year's budget projection in Rochester, which is a reflection of differences among the budgets proposed by the House, the Senate and Gov. Rick Snyder.

Though the governor's proposed budget would result in the smallest budget shortfall for the Rochester district, it is based on one-time funding rather than an increase in the state foundation allowance. (There are details of each budget proposal in the document attached to this story.)

Regardless of which plan the Legislature ultimately adopts, the Rochester school district's expenditures will exceed its revenue by between $8.7 million and $9.5 million next school year.

The board's plan

Board of Education members have instructed administrators to suggest budget cutbacks that are between $3.5 million and $6.1 million. The rest of the deficit will be cushioned by the district's general fund balance, which is about $23.5 million.

During the 2011-12 school year, the district has cut $3 million in expenditures and by the end of the school year will have spent about $9.3 million from the general fund.

Potential cutbacks

The , which board members approved last month, will save the district a combined $2.9 million next year. Those savings will likely be part of the administration team's recommendations tonight.

Other programs that could, potentially, be reduced or eliminated:

• Technology replacement and school bus replacement programs.
• General school-level budgets for copying and other materials.
• General district-level budgets for curriculum, central office and other programs.
• A reduction in teachers: eliminating five teaching positions would save $325,000.
• Restructuring of middle school and high school teacher leader positions.
• Elimination of the ACE program for alternative education; this would save $350,000. About 100 students attend ACE each year.
• Reduction in substitute teacher costs related to teachers conducting school business.
• Reduction in clerical staff.
• Elimination of school liaison officer program.
• Reductions in school counselors.
• Reductions in special education program.
• Elimination of middle school athletics.
• Reduction in the general fund subsidy for athletics.

The district could also increase revenue by allowing limited school-of-choice students; 100 students would generate $816,800 in revenue.

"I feel like we are looking at the same cuts year after year, at some point we will not have anything left to cut," said Elizabeth Witten, a member of the public who spoke to the board. Witten suggested the board look at ways to live within the district's means and not spend money that isn't there.

Romzek said the district has tried to live within its means but that "if we continue like this we will drain our fund equity," he said.

Board member Lisa Nowak said she was concerned in looking at the entire list of recommended cutbacks; if all of the potential cutbacks were made, the district's general fund would not need to be touched.

"This board has decided we're not prepared to pull the trigger," she said. "I'm not sure we want the district to look the way it would look with all of these cuts. They are big, big changes."

What's next

The district's budget must be adopted by June 30, according to state law. The state's School Aid budget will likely be adopted by June 1.

Here is what's next:

• 7 p.m. May 7: Presentation of administration's preliminary budget recommendations and the impact of the possible cutbacks. Public input is welcome.
• 7 p.m. May 21: Presentation of administration's final budget recommendation. Public input welcome.
• 7 p.m. June 18: Official public hearing and adoption of the budget. Public input welcome.

What do you think?

There are several ways to offer your feedback on the 2012-13 budget.

• Send an email to board members through this link on the district's website.
• Attend an informal board chat before any of the upcoming meetings; two board members are there starting at 6:30 p.m. to talk to community members.
• Attend the meetings; there is always an opportunity for public comment.
• Leave a comment on this story; we like to think board members read Patch!