All you have to do is turn on the TV or read the newspaper to see evidence of how school districts all around us are cutting and slashing their budgets. Because of the significant cuts in state funding, schools are implementing mid-year layoffs, closing buildings and discontinuing basic programs - It is all very disturbing.
Here at TK we are not immune to these problems but we are fortunate to have a little time to develop a plan of action. One thing is pretty much certain – next year we will not be able to operate as we have in the past. Significant cuts will need to be made – the only question will be – just how deep will we have to go? Unfortunately, the answer to that question will have to be a based on a “best guess” next spring of the funding we’ll receive from the state to operate our district.
This is where I need to ask for your help. We truly believe we will need the understanding and support of our community to help us get through the next few, very difficult, years. We also believe it is crucial for parents and members of our community to have an understanding of this financial crisis in order to continue to give us that support. So here is my request: Please – Please – Please – join us in room 1616 of the Middle School on Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 pm for a public forum so that we can tell you about the issues we are dealing with and get feedback from you.
In the mean time we are in the process of developing strategies for saving money now as we prepare for the potential of even more significant reductions during the 2010-11 school year. We are trying to turn our focus toward what we can do and what solutions we can develop so that we can continue to keep the best interest of our students as our first priority, retain programs and staff, and still be fiscally responsible to our community. It will be a very difficult task.
Here’s our plan of action for how we will make our recommendation to the Board for budget cuts:
- Our Administrative Team has been developing cost saving ideas for the rest of this year and next year during the month of December,
- I am meetings with all employee groups in December to brief them on the latest on the state’s financial crisis and how it might affect our district. We are also asking for their input on how ,
· I am meeting with several community groups during December and January to help people from the area understand the issues we are dealing with,
· We will conduct a public forum on these budget issues in January, and finally
· We will then be putting together budget reduction recommendations that I will present to our school board to consider next spring.
I am very certain that, unless something drastic happens legislatively, we will be forced to make choices next spring which we do not want to make. There will be very good programs and/or people affected. We sincerely hope this can be avoided, but for now we need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
This is my 34th year in education. Like many other educators who are my age in Michigan, I was laid-off as a teacher in the early 80’s and had to leave the state to continue my career until the economy recovered. Back then, inflation and unemployment in Michigan were both in the double digits and the economy was in very tough shape. The problems schools are facing in the next few years are worse than those of the 80’s. Our ability to continue to provide our students with the high quality education is in jeopardy and we will need your continued help and support as we make some very difficult choices.
If you are able to join us on January 13 please email me at superintendent@tkschools.org. Thanks again - Hope to see you then!