- By Dan Veaner
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The first draft had cut three or four teaching positions, depending on how you count them. One of those is that of a retiring Elementary school teacher that will not be refilled, because with a dwindling student population it is not needed to keep class size below 20. The other three were reinstated in this newest draft, but other positions were slated for cuts.
Driscoll reported that the figures on State aid had come in and that the District is eligible for $491,385 or 8.1% more than last year. He, Lewis and administrators managed to reduce a $22,130,891 (10.6%) budget to $21,247,350 (6.2%).
Teachers bitterly protested cuts that affect programs, complaining that a new position to hire a secretary for the new Director of Curriculum and Teacher Development should be dropped if a choice must be made. Lewis explained why the position is needed, saying that it is an inefficient use of the Director of Curriculum's time if she is typing Word documents, and noting that new responsibilities are being heaped on that office. But teachers remained unconvinced.
Another issue was that the budget information as presented was confusing. Some board members agreed and asked for the budget to be presented in a different way for next Monday's meeting.
Teachers also complained that they were not included in the process five or six months ago, and felt they had less input into the budget than in past years. BOE President Bonita Lindberg reminded them that Lewis was not the Superintendent until three months ago, and Lewis promised they would be included early in next year's budget considerations. He noted "The budget process begins in October. Had I been here in October there would have been ample time for us to schedule significantly greater number of meetings with staff to talk about the budget." He also said he would have welcomed more staff input especially where the tough choices are concerned. "We'd love to share those types of quandaries and dilemmas and sometimes abject anguish with some of the decisions that we're making. We'd love to put that out on the table and say, 'what would you do?'"
Part of the "wish list" was to make the half time Director of Technology a full time position, and to add a technology integration specialist. Teachers argued hotly, especially for the latter, saying the administrative secretary position should be dropped if it was a choice between the two. Parents and teachers told of students having to wait for help on computers in order to complete projects. Lewis said, "You know that I am very impressed with the attitude of the teaching staff with respect to integrating technology, and I am looking forward to working with you to do that." He acknowledged the need, but said, "I don't want to pit one off against the other." But Elementary Library Media Specialist Cynthia "Sam" Foley said, "When cuts are to be made that's what you do: pit them against each other."
Lindberg noted that when the District has a long range plan in place it will have a strong effect on developing budgets that favor programs. "I think that the long range plan that is currently being worked on will be the cornerstone of this budget as well as future ones," she said.
Lewis also pointed out that there are different "audiences" in Lansing, and that taxpayers involved in the capital project committees are saying that taxes are too high. A 6% rise in the budget will mean a 4.9% rise in the tax levy and a 4.6% tax rate increase, bringing the tax rate up to $19.22 per thousand of assessed value. Lindberg noted that before Lewis began that Interim Superintendent had charged the staff with coming up with a zero-rise budget. With fuel, benefits and other costs rising out of control, the Board charged Lewis to come up with a 6% rise, and even that is a struggle.
But it could be more than that. Board members concluded the session with a laundry list of items they want Lewis and Driscoll to put back into the budget. Dan Brown said, "There has to be a computer lab aide in the right (Civil Service) classification in the Elementary School." He also wanted general building cuts reduced from 10% to 5% and an integration specialist. Tom Keane and Lindberg said they want a full time Director of Technology, and Glen Swanson said he wants the Director of Curriculum to share a secretary, rather than creating a whole new position. Christine Iacobucci wanted a list of each item and how it directly impacts kids.
Everybody wanted something, but with a budget potentially twice the size of the rise in the cost of living, administrators are feeling pressure to cut items from the budget, and are not being given much leeway as to what can be cut. The BOE must pass a budget by Monday, which promises to be a long and difficult meeting as board members take a line-item approach to the final draft.
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