This time of year school districts across Michigan are finalizing budgets for the upcoming school year. All K-12 schools have until June 30th to prepare their finances.
By Melissa Smith
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
Read more: Local, State, Economy, Business, Education, Community, School Budgets
KALKASKA AND BUCKLEY -- It's the final days for school districts to prepare their upcoming budgets. The Kalkaska School District's superintendent says their budget is prepared but it's facing a deficit.
"It looks like we're in a deficit so that means about half a million dollars in the red for next year," says Kalkaska superintendent Lee Sandy.
Sandy says it's not uncommon for Michigan schools to face this issue.
"Because of savings that we did through the year with additional funds that came in we were able to balance the budget close to this year, but I would say in Michigan, schools it's not unusual to see a deficit budget at all," says Sandy.
Despite this financial crunch the district doesn't plan to make cuts.
"The board is maintaining all the programs for students so they've not had to cut any at least for the coming year at this time. That's assuming there's not cuts coming from the state. They've decided to keep kids programs in place," says Sandy.
"It's a similar situation in the Buckley school district in Wexford County. Their budget hearing takes place June 30th and they're also preparing for a deficit," says Sandy.
"We're basing that on the $150 cut per pupil and projected enrollment for next year and also when you look at support staff and teachers pay increasing for next year it comes out to $85 thousand so we're looking at ways of how to absorb costs," says Buckley Public Schools superintendent, Steve Prissel.
Priseel says one way to absorb costs without making cuts includes increased enrollment.
"Our enrollment has actually gone up, we've actually gone up in the last three years. We feel very fortunate and hope the trend continues next year and continues to move up because that will help with deficit spending," says Prissel
7&4 News also spoke with the Elk Rapids Public Schools superintendent who says their budget hearing is Monday. As of now, they're not receiving funds from the state but they don't plan on making any cuts.
