Clarkston school officials believe they can cut about $1.6 million from their 2004-2005 budget, but that’s less than the goal of $1.9 million set by the school board in January.
While the Deputy Superintendent David Reschke admitted it is less than was hoped, he told the school board June 14 it is a positive amount.
‘We’re very comfortable with that,? Reschke said. ‘There’s some impact to students here, but we’re really not hurting students all that much.?
At the same meeting, meanwhile, the board voted unanimously to give Superintendent Al Roberts a 2.5 percent pay hike for 2004-2005.
His new salary will be $138,000, up from the current $134,564, and he will again be eligible for a ‘possible? $4,000 bonus if performance goals are accomplished. The board’s vote gives Roberts a one-year contract extension, with the new expiration date of July 1, 2009.
The school district’s fiscal year begins July 1, and the board’s June 28 meeting will include a public hearing at 6 p.m. and discussion of the proposed budget at their 7 p.m. meeting.
While the proposed budget was not finalized last week, Reschke reported on which items in the reduction plan are feasible and which are not.
Among the items still on the table is a ‘pay-to-participate? athletics fee as part of the ‘revenue enhancement? part of the package which also includes the eventual sale of portable classrooms and tuition to be gained by enrolling children of employees who live outside the district.
Potential budget cuts still include reductions of some programs (such as elimination of regional accreditation for grades K-3 and intramural athletics) and restructuring to move some duties to other departments.
The response to the district’s severance offer will also lead to a net reduction of teaching staff by about four full-time-equivalent teachers, and Reschke announced that the position of executive director for middle and high school education will not be filled when John Diliegghio retires July 1.
The salary savings from Diliegghio’s position comes under ‘reduction of administrative services,? and Reschke said restructuring of duties is ‘in the planning stages? at this time.
‘The good news is our estimates were pretty accurate,? Reschke said of the overall plan, but he admitted, ‘This is an ongoing work.?
Some of the challenges in budget reductions have come in areas such as utility costs.
‘It’s an ongoing battle,? Reschke said. ‘We have a hard time coming in on the high side [of the estimate] because the costs have gone up.?
In addition, administrators have abandoned thoughts of restructuring the district custodial staff, but Reschke said the district will not replace two positions vacant ‘by attrition.?
Among other projected cuts will be between $4,000 and $6,000 from the district’s ‘communications? budget. Anita Banach, director of marketing and communications, said she found ways to save money on items such as postage and printing, and anticipates less money on employee recognition items and staff retirement receptions.
When the board set the $1.9 million budget reduction goal, officials committed to reserving $1.4 million from the current fund equity to fund new building operations in 2005-2006.
Bruce Beamer, executive director for business and financial services, said last week the issue of state aid continues to be an uncertainty. Both the differences in the state’s fiscal year and ongoing state budget problems make it difficult to predict revenue for the new school year.
Trustees appeared certain in their performance evaluation of Roberts. Board Vice President Ronald Sullivan read a summary of a positive performance review (done in executive session in May) before recommending the pay increase.
‘I have neve seen his momentum stop,? Trustee Mary Ellen McLean said. ‘In some very trying times’he represents our district well.?