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Student count provides hope for TPS budget
By DEB WUETHRICH
Although much of the Tecumseh Public Schools planning process has involved budgeting for the worst-case scenario, a little ray of hope shines through as projections are made toward balancing this year’s budget. TPS Chief Financial Officer Bill Wright said so far, the district has been including figures that assumed a loss of 140 students, based on what has been happening for the past few years in the area of student enrollment, but a recent count showed an estimated loss of 14 students for this year.
“We may have a little break in this area,” said Wright. “We’ll be counting a couple more times before we have the final numbers, but we think maybe enrollment has bottomed out.”
As Wright presented an update on the budget status, he pointed out that such factors as an increase in staff insurance payments would be adjusted, but there are other areas that are simply unknown at this time. Local revenues through assessments have decreased by 11 percent in the city, with Raisin Township close behind, providing fewer funds than in the past, and earnings on investments are at historically low rates.
How much schools can count on in the form of the per student Foundation Allowance remains as unsettled as in previous years, but is scheduled to be $7,151 per student this year due to the $165 cut made in fiscal year 2010, down from $7,316 per student last year. What’s up in the air for next year is a senate proposal of an additional cut of $255, and a proposal by Governor Jennifer Granholm that includes no cut, but new taxes.
“These proposals are very different from each other,” Wright said.
The district also continues to look at areas where expenditures may be reduced, and Wright said that the purchase of textbook series may have to be suspended for a couple of years, with possible reductions in the per student expenditure for supplies.
“It’s important to point out that we’ve done some due diligence on textbooks and we’re not talking about beat up textbooks,” pointed out board member Jason Sines. “We should be in good shape for now,” he said, mentioning the board’s recent commitments toward updating textbooks. Wright confirmed that last year, the district spent well over $200,000 toward textbooks, and $245,000 this year, along with beginning a program to replace books.
“We’re just saying maybe for a year or two we may have to suspend that, but we’ve spent close to a million dollars over the past four years for textbooks,” he said.
Wright said the administration also is working to integrate recommendations by the Special Economic Advisory Committee, staff, and PTO groups as work continues on the balanced budget, which he hoped would be adopted by June 28.
“Let’s hope we have some good news coming from the state on something concrete before we have to adopt something,” said Board President Debbie Johnson-Berges.
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Money
If we need to save money then I feel it is not out of the realm of possibility that the administration including teachers take a pay cut consistant with the rest of the population. Many have had their pay cut by 20% and insurance slashed with co-pays always on the rise. If they would concede half this much at least they would show the community that they recognize difficult times on a personal level and are willing to sacrifice to help the community through the hard times. Like most other jobs, when the times improve so will their benefits.
River Rat
Although I agree, I dont see that happening in the near future ? Cuts in state services have not lowered my taxes , cars being built overseas by slave labor hasnt lowered the sticker price of cars , gas prices have not come down despite the huge oil field they just found in the middle east , etc.... Nope , the BOE needs to take a good look around town at the empty houses and factories and realize the problem has everything to do with job loss which leads to home loss which leads to student loss ! No point in staying in a community that has no jobs and now you are homeless . Better to move in with relatives in another state or atleast another county . No point in keeping the kids in school here we as parents have no future let alone our kids !!!
I'm confident the school
I'm confident the school board and all the talented people in our school district are doing everything they possibly can to give our students the best possible learning experience in the county. I really think now is the time for the community to step up and promote the fantastic schools we have. Over the last 5 years, by far, the majority of student loss has come through schools choice, not people leaving the state. The school is the 2nd largest employer in the county, it is in our best interest to promote our schools. Investing in our schools is an investment in our community and our future.
Tom, If the schools are
Tom,
If the schools are so fantastic, then why as you say, has " by far, the majority of student loss has come through schools choice, not people leaving the state." ? It just seems that school of choice couldn't touch the population of a truly fantastic school system.
Tom, I think you're correct
Tom, I think you're correct about people leaving because of schools of choice. Obviously, that shold tell the school board, McAran, school administers and even the teachers, that something is terribly amiss.
Everyone, from the janiotrs to McAran need to realize that they can play a role in identifying and correcting problems. Unfortunately, it's my impression that none of these people are willing to admit that tough issues exist.
@raisinriverrat, excellent
@raisinriverrat, excellent question! Even though I'm certain the answer is complex, part of the problem is a negative spirit and lack of support behind those who lead in our community. The old proverb, "everyone has a say, but not everyone has their way," comes to mind. The fact is we do have excellent teachers, excellent programs, excellent facilities, BUT, who is speaking it? I, for one, am going to speak the good I see. Let's all engage in promoting, in a positive way, our school and we will all receive the blessings!
Ignoring the Problems
won't make them go away. It nice that you want to promote the good, but if the bad are forcing parents to utilize Schools of Choice as you say, then we will never get to where we want to be.
Tom
I cant understand how you can say "we have excellent teachers" when clearly we dont ! Our teachers (not all) have become disgruntled by Mr. McAran and his school board ! The negative attitudes do effect the students that is a fact. You claim we have "excellent programs" and again I disagree ! Those programs are under funded and students are just being passed along because of it ! Excellent facilities ? With they exception of the pool all of our sports facilities are excellent but what about the band room ? What about the cuts to special education ? I wonder how many kids have gone to Clinton or Britton because the parents of those kids see what Im seeing and thats a Board of Education that refuses to listen to them, teachers with negative attitudes, sports put before education, and just a general denial that we have these problems !
Agree Strongly!
I agree Mike. Even Tom admitted that he feels people are leaving because of Schools of Choice.
As I stated earlier, everyone from the Janitors to McAran has a stake in identifying and correcting problems in our district. Unfortunately, everyone's head is in the sand.
Since Schools of Choice is
Since Schools of Choice is the reality we are living in, to me, the questions is do we know why parents are making the choice to pull their children out and going to another district? The SEAC all agreed for the board to implement a way to find out this very important information (and I'm certain they will). Also, we have parents who are transfering their children to our district. I think it is equally important to survey why they are coming here. We have much to offer and much to work on...but let's do it TOGETHER! It is much too easy to sit back and be critical. Let's do the hard work of partnering with our leaders and create and even BETTER community!
Tom
Partnering with our leaders Tom ? Our leaders live in denial , the negative attitudes of teachers and parents and students is due to the total lack of leadership from our current leaders ! How can we come together and partner with a school board that refuses to listen to us ? As parents we have concerns , as tax payers we have concerns , as residents of Tecumseh we have concerns and our leaders refuse to admit we even have a problem to be concerned with !!!! I cant partner with that Tom and cant see how you can ?
I agree
Mike, I and many others agree with what you said. Tom, its simple people leave here because they know how it is; and poeple come her because they don't know yet!! Look at all of the facts of the last 5 or so years. Man, this really isn't that great of a district to be in.
Again you are correct
Again you are correct Mike. There is little desire from the teachers all the way to McAran, including the school board to have a real partnership. If you tell them they're great, they love you but tell them the problems and you become a hater and a person who doesn't care.
As a parent, my concern is with the shoddy job being done at all levels at the Higyh School. Bad teacher and Administration performance IS impacting college boubd kids.
As a tax payer, I'm furious that the voters will has been arrogantly ignored.
SEAC ?
Tom mentioned the SEAC agreed to have the School Board set up a fact finding mission inorder to understand why kids continue to leave the district . That answer can be found by simply speaking to whom ever answers the phone, opens the mail, and sits at the front desk down at the Board Of Education cant it ? I know if I was pulling my son out of TPS over the issues I have already mentioned the BOE would sure as hell know why ! Im sure the hate mail has been read, the nasty phone calls answered, and the face to face confrontations handled . Despite this the BOE has to have a fact finding mission ? I guess that is that DENIAL we keep talking about !
Fact finding mission
Instead of a fact finding mission on how to recruit kids to Tecumseh why not find solutions to keep the kids that are already here. The board can keep their money all someone has to do is bring in a large mirror to the next board meeting so they can look at themselves and they will see the reason people are leaving the school district.
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