It’s coming down to the wire for Clarkston Board of Education, with two regular meetings left before deadline to approve the district’s budget. The Board of Education meets Monday, June 10, with a workshop at 6 p.m. and regular meeting, 7 p.m.
The board is set to consider a limited open enrollment program, tabled at the last board meeting, May 20, as well as a new list of budget cuts prepared by administration.
In the estimated State of Michigan School-Aid budget for 2014, May 22, per-pupil funding for Clarkston Community Schools is up, from $7,082 per student in 2013 to $7,140 in 2014, $58 per student.
With enrollment of 7,869 students projected for 2014, the change could mean $460,636 more for the district. However, enrollment is down from previous years, with 7,942 students in Clarkston’s unofficial count for 2013 and 8,106 students in 2012.
The School Aid budget statewide for Kindergarten-12th grade is expected to increase by more than $443 million, including $40 million more for early childhood education and $25 million for the program in reserve, said State Rep. Gail Haines, 43rd District.
“We have made several significant reforms in recent years that are helping schools save money and focus more education dollars on the classroom,” Haines said.
? Phil Custodio