Salary freeze could help balance school budget

As directed, Superintendent Al Roberts found more than $1 million more in cuts to the Clarkston Community Schools budget.
A large percentage is from a salary freeze district wide, including his own.
‘Our teachers, administrators and other staff have worked with us in the past to curtail costs by accepting salaries that are less than those negotiated in many of the districts in Oakland County ? more is required of us,? Roberts said at the March 12 school board meeting.
‘As the leader of the school district, I like to think that I walk the talk. So, I am requesting that the board freeze my salary for the coming year.?
The district freeze would save about $350,000.
The biggest savings, $531,000, would result from more retirements than previously expected, and is not specifically a budget cut, Roberts said.
Curriculum adoptions, of textbooks and other subject materials, would be cut $100,000, in addition to $350,000 previously proposed.
Additional cuts to be considered include subcontracting maintenance and transportation services, saving about $300,000, and substitute teaching, saving about $60,000. A temp-type agency could be used to provide guest teachers. Athletics could also be cut another $200,000, in addition to $180,000 previously proposed.
Barry Bomier, vice president, called for the board to remember the human cost of the budget cuts.
‘Each FTE (full-time employee) represents an individual, a household,? Bomier said.
‘It makes an impact on the community as well as on education.?
Budget work will continue ? employee contracts are all up for renegotiation, which will continue until April. Formal approval of the 2007-2008 budget will follow in June, said President Stephen Hyer.
‘This is not a fun process for us,? he said.
Lobbying efforts with state and federal governments will continue, Hyer said.
Roberts called on members of the audience to join in the effort.
‘They need to hear from citizens ? ‘no more education cuts,?? he said. ‘We can’t sustain additional cuts.?

$531,000 Retirement rate change
$24,300 Reduction of salary for community education director by 25 percent (retirement and restructuring)
$100,000 Future curriculum adoptions
$50,000 Reduction in guest teacher usage
$80,000 Additional per pupil reductions
$210,000 Reduction of an Elementary Elective Program
$350,000 Salary freeze
$1,345,300 in newly proposed cuts
$4,146,400, previously proposed
$5,491,700 total