Brandon Twp.- District officials put in months of study on their way to making $1.6 million in cuts to balance the budget. Approval of the cuts on Monday night, however, was done in just about an hour.
‘Obviously cuts are hard to do,? said Superintendent Matt Outlaw. ‘The plan we put forward for reductions kept the cuts as far from kids as possible. We really did our homework, communicated a great deal, and asked the tough questions. The board has been involved in feedback, based decisions on data, and put together as good of a reduction plan as possible.?
The unanimously approved motions at the March 16 board meeting included a reduction of 15 full-time teachers for the 2015-16 school year, expected to save the district $975,000; closure of the Belle Ann building, an estimated $106,932 savings; and elimination of the alternative high school program, a $217,183 reduction.
The board also swiftly and unanimously approved elimination of the community education/aquatic center director position, consolidation of two central office clerical positions into one; and grant funding only of literacy coaches.
Only one reduction drew a divided vote. The board approved 4-3 to consolidate bus routes, with some concern over the wording of the motion, which consolidates bus routes, improves times, and reduces the fleet by six buses. Discussion centered over the district’s lease of seven buses, which expires in June. The district will not renew the lease, but will be purchasing a bus.
Board Secretary Debbie Brady expressed concern that eight buses had already broken down during routes this school year, but Outlaw later explained there were some ‘glitches? with new buses.
During the meeting, he stressed that the reduction was of the reserve buses and there will be a five year plan to address the entire bus fleet and ensure the vehicles are viable and of high quality. The district purchased 15 new buses this year and next year will have 18 total general education runs, two less than the current number of routes. The district’s oldest bus is about 9-years-old. The average bus lasts about 11-12 years. With the reduction, the inventory of buses will be 31, with 22 general education buses, and nine special education buses.
Less buses are needed, Outlaw continued, because of declining enrollment and the district will continue to adjust routes as needed.
The district is expecting a drop of 140 students for the 2015-16 school year, and a total drop of about 500 students over the next five years due to declining birth rates.
Jan Meek, executive director of business and support services for the district, is projecting that for the 2015-16 school year, the district will have a balanced budget with roughly $26 million in revenues and about $25.7 million in expenditures, with a projected 8.82 percent fund balance. Some of the fund balance, $400,000 this year, and $200,000 per year for the next few years, will be assigned to a new wastewater treatment plant. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has informed the district they will be required to replace their system by November 2019. The estimated cost for the project is currently about $2 million.
Meek also revealed more news regarding district septic issues during the March 16 board meeting. One of three septic fields at Harvey Swanson Elementary has failed. The problem was discovered with water leaking into the facility’s basement.
Outlaw stressed there is no contamination and no buildings have to be shut down, but addressing the issue will cost between $50,000 to $80,000.
Despite these financial burdens, Outlaw and Meek remain optimistic.
‘I feel good about the budget,? said Meek. ‘We are doing our part to be financially responsible and making tough decisions for the good of the whole district. We will also be investing back into our school, putting money back into programs. It’s not all cuts.?
Among the investments will be a one-on-one technology plan to put devices into the hands of all first through third graders in the district, as well as the Brandon Success Program, which will replace the alternative high school, and an enhanced preschool academy, offering expanded services next year, with Outlaw promising the least expensive rates in the area.
‘We are moving forward as a district,? he said.