State consensus revenue estimating conference figures released

By DEB WUETHRICH

 Tecumseh Chief Financial Officer Bill Wright shared news Monday night from the day’s State Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference in Lansing, stating that, “The good news for now, I think, is the projected formula cut of $268 per student for next year.” Wright said given the fact that projections for next year had been as high as $600-$900 for the cuts, figures provided by state representatives and other groups, that figure was not as bad as it might have been.

A cut in the per pupil school foundation allowance of  $165 made earlier this school year remains in place, however the $127 per student cut announced later has been reinstated to the formula. Wright said that now makes Tecumseh Public School’s Foundation Allowance $7,151 per student, down from $7,316 last year.

“For the rest of this year, the ending balance [in the School Aid Fund] is projected to be a positive $53 million, which is good news,” Wright said. “However, to get to that point, the state had to use $424 million in ARRA funds. As the state moves forward, they have to plug that hole back in.” He said looking at 2010-2011, the “best news” is that the State Aid Fund is beginning to stabilize. “However, there’s not as much available in federal stimulus dollars,” he said, adding that the state is projecting to use $184 million in ARRA funds next year.  

Because funding is still relatively unstable, Wright said schools are moving cautiously as they work on amending current year budgets and prepare for next year. He said that Tecumseh Public Schools likely would budget for approximately $300 in cuts per student, even with the $268 cut announcement.

“Are we out of the woods yet?” Wright asked. “I wouldn’t say that — we’ll have to wait a few months to see, but we’re seeing some relief and that, to me, is good news.”
Karen Januszek presided over the meeting in the absence of Board President Debbie Johnson-Berges.

In other business the school board members:

• Heard public comment from Ford Hyder, who expressed continued concern about drainage problems at the new athletic complex. Wright, who at a previous board meeting had explained the bioswale drainage process being incorporated in the area by contracted engineers, said that the district is continuing to monitor the situation with plans to address areas that still are showing some problems. He said that all components of the project are under warranty for a year.
• Received recommendations from Tecumseh Middle School Principal Rick Hilderley regarding the use of French Connection scholarship funds with funds to be used to support middle school and high school aged student international educational travel and/or student activities. The funds will be used to support general travel expenses, primarily as trip upgrades to enhance overall educational benefit of the trip to all participating students. The board will establish an oversight committee at a future meeting to continue to review the funds used, which primarily will be the interest earnings on the $100,000 seed grant.
• Received congratulations from Supt. Mike McAran for service on the board as part of School Board Recognition Month. McAran said the job has not been easy over the past five years, with approximately $1 million per year being dropped from the budgets due to state aid changes and the loss of student population, but that school board members have done a good job in maintaining educational programs through the struggles.
• Discussed potential agenda items for a joint meeting with Tecumseh City Council members, with a date for the meeting still to be determined.
• Heard from Technology Director Todd Thieken, who said that the new microphones and speakers in the board room would ultimately be tied in with district projector/computer systems.
• Heard comment from school board member Lou Englund, who said that he would like for everyone, including the public, to be made aware of the checks and balances and procedures the district uses to account for monies in the athletic funds, club funds and such. McAran said discussions about those procedures already are under way, and the matter was referred to the board’s Finance Committee for a future report.