Lake Orion Schools could be laying off about 20 staff members if the current budget is given final approval by the school board.
Among those who received pink slips after the board’s April 5 meeting, where members voted to approve the proposed staff reductions, was Paint Creek Elementary School Administrative Extern Kathy McMinn.
McMinn has been with the district for 32 years, starting her career as a substitute teacher in 1975, and moving on to teach at Proper School in Gingellville.
She also spent 24 years as a teacher at Stadium Drive, before moving on to Paint Creek, where she has been administrative extern for two years.
That position is a unique one for the district, as School Board President Leeann Bartley noted that no other school has one.
McMinn, who did not attend the meeting but was watching it at home on cable TV, said the position is a ‘gray area? between administrator and teacher. She is paid a teacher’s salary, but is not a union member.
‘The position was created because of the high numbers at Paint Creek, and they didn’t want to hire another administrator,? McMinn said. ‘We are second only to the high school in population.?
McMinn said she was ‘humbled? by the words spoken by several Paint Creek parents and PTO members during public comments time at the school board meeting.
Paint Creek teacher Maureen Schabel noted that although she understood budget cuts sometimes involve staff, and that running the schools is like ‘running a business,? the board should reconsider their decision to cut McMinn’s position.
‘I’m sure I do not need to tell you of her qualities,? Schabel said. ‘If anyone embodies the qualities of Lake Orion, it’s Kathy McMinn.?
Schabel added that McMinn’s ‘presence and expertise has been invaluable,? and that McMinn was not being offered retirement incentive because she was not a union member.
‘Hasn’t Kathy McMinn…who excels in the business of people…earned closure of her career in a professional and respectful manner?? Schabel asked.
Paint Creek PTO member Kathy Armstrong called McMinn a ‘tremendous asset,? not only to Paint Creek, but all of Lake Orion Schools.
‘She takes the time to get to know our kids and their families,? Armstrong said. ‘She is a walking example of what we are trying to teach our children.
‘I know this is not a personal decision, but a business one…but we ask the board to reconsider,? she said, adding that the PTO proposed cutting back to three-quarter time for the administrative extern and associate principal positions.
‘We also ask the board if they would consider allowing the PTO to subsidize a portion of the money to keep Kathy McMinn on board,? said Armstrong.
McMinn said she was told three weeks ago that her position could be cut.
‘I was here 25 years ago when it was even worse,? she said. ‘Lake Orion always pulls through. I understand the business end…but this is my home.?
McMinn graduated from Lake Orion High School, and said she considers the staff at Paint Creek her ‘family.?
‘I’ve seen Lake Orion through this type of thing before, strong and clear,? she added. ‘I’m very proud of this community.?
During their discussion of the budget, the board said they planned to do more research on McMinn’s position.
After the board voted to approve the staff reductions, Bartley said it was ‘one of the worst things we have to do…When you look at this list, it just breaks your heart.?
Bartley hastened that some people receiving pink slips would not necessarily be losing their job at the end of the school year.
She said if the board ended up not having to cut some of the positions after they learned what the final amount they will be receiving from the state is, they would not cut them.
Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Ken Gutman noted there are also more staff returning from leave than in the past.
‘When we were growing, it was much easier to have new positions opening,? he said.
Gutman said nothing like giving out pink slips could ‘ever be made pleasant,? but that he would meet with people individually to explain their status and options.
‘When you see the list, there are more bodies on it than who will be let go,? Bartley said, adding that the state could be giving the schools $225 per pupil.
‘All of our contracts are also up for negotiations,? she said. ‘There are too many things that are not known.?
Bartley added that the board had decided to use $1 million from the fund balance.
‘I want you to know we’re not just sitting on a pile of money,? she said.