Posen Schools to lose $34,000 in proposed state reductions
What to do? That is the question being asked all around the State of Michigan following the recent reductions proposed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Posen is no exception, and the discussion at Monday?s board meeting resulted in a review of the potential difficulties posed by those reductions.
?That $34,000 will have to come out of this year?s budget,? Posen Superintendent Dennis Stratton said. ?This is the first time that we?ve (the school board) known what the amount would be that we?re specifically dealing with. Before now, Stratton said they had seen all different kinds of formulas in regards to the state?s planned reductions. ?I?ve only known about the exact amount for two days,? said a frustrated Stratton. ?The board really hasn?t had time to think it through. I?ve told them what I will do is spend some time looking at all the options and will present those options at the next school board meeting.?
STRATTON SAID he is still not sure if the reductions include categorical programs such as Title I and those type of programs. ?If that?s the case…it may mean additional cuts and expenses we aren?t counting on. We have to look at what we can do to recoup and make it through…and where to tighten the belt.? Those extras Stratton mentioned could be on top of the already set $34,000 reductions. ?We?ve heard everything from $30 to $100 per student reductions and we didn?t know what formula would be used.? Stratton was not certain but thought the amount was closer to $75-85 reduction per student.
?We will survive until next year and we?ll do everything we can to get through this year — but I think next year will be the ?big? worry for us,? Stratton lamented. Coupled with increasing insurance rates of 15 to 20 percent, plus one to two percent increases in the retirement costs, added to increasing utility bills, and Posen has a problem, like most school districts, that seems almost insurmountable. ?The most difficult problem to deal with is after we put together a budget, and think we can pay our bills…and now this big reduction,? Stratton added.
