Board approves second series of 11-12 reductions

As state lawmakers continue to discuss the largest school funding reduction in Michigan history, the Utica Community Schools Board of Education has approved more than $9 million in reductions for the 2011-2012 school year.

The Utica Community Schools Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a series of reductions to offset proposed cuts in school funding. 

“Utica Community Schools is continuing to explore every avenue that protects our schools in the midst of the school funding crisis,” said Superintendent Dr. Christine Johns. “We’ve already made more than $65 million in reductions, and it is increasingly difficult to make these cuts without dramatically impacting classroom programs and students.”

The reductions approved by the Board are the second in a series of expected changes to address the district’s financial position. In March, the Board of Education approved $7.8 million in cost reductions for the 2011-2012 school year.

The additional $9.1 million in reductions approved by the Board on Monday include:

• A one-time only transfer of funding from emergency building maintenance, direct costs for community education and the release of benefit obligations - $7,034,000
• Reductions in building-level and central office expenditures - $1,441,000
• A 50 percent reduction in secondary textbook replacements - $123,000
• The use of proceeds from high school student store operations - $530,000

State lawmakers are currently considering a school funding proposal that includes a $470 reduction in school aid and a mandatory retirement rate increase from 20.66 percent to 24.46 percent. The retirement rate increase represents a 18.4 percent increase – or $216 per student.

Since Proposal A took effect in 1994, the majority of funding for Michigan school districts is annually established by the state legislature.

Earlier this year, UCS officials announced the school district would face an estimated $36.7 million deficit for the next school year. After the Board’s actions Monday, UCS officials are now anticipating a $19.8 million deficit for the 2011-2012 school year.

Further reductions are anticipated if the governor’s proposed K-12 budget is approved by state lawmakers.

“We will continue to work with local legislators to create an understanding of the severe impact that these funding reductions will have on our students,” Johns said.

The Utica Community Schools Board of Education previously adopted a resolution urging state lawmakers to continue to work with school officials to minimize the impact on UCS students. The resolution, adopted at the March 28 meeting, also expressed concern with a proposal to divert more than $900 million toward higher education from the school aid fund.

“I believe the residents of Michigan were led to believe that school aid funding from Proposal A would only be used for K-12 education,” Board President Dr. Carol Klenow said.

More information on the UCS budget and updates on state budget proposals are available on the district Web site: www.uticak12.org.