BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE

PUBLIC DISCUSSION FORUM

Phase II

Linden High School

7201 W. Silver Lake Road

Linden, Michigan 48451

(810) 591-0410

May 16, 2009

7:00 p.m.

The forum was conducted to present the community with the state of the Linden Community Schools’ budget, how schools are funded, and what is being proposed to achieve a balanced budget within two years.

Superintedent Koledo, explained how school funding works. Homestead taxes go directly to the State Aid Fund. Non-homestead taxes go to the schools. Mr. Engelter stated 82% of revenue comes from the State. The worse off the State is the worse off school districts are as the State can take back money. Seventy-seven per cent of the schools’ budget is salaries and benefits, which are mainly contractual.

Superintendent Ed Koledo stated the goal of the Board Finance Committee is to achieve a balanced budget in two years. The idea was to make one deep cut for the 2009-10 school year and smaller adjustments the next year. The Budget Advisory Committee was formed by the Board Finance Community. The make-up of the Budget Advisory Committee was community members, secondary and elementary teachers, bus drivers, aides, food service staff, custodians, maintenance staff, administrators, and secretaries. Mr. Koledo met three times to determine the best plans for the Board Finance Committee to review and take to the Board of Education in April.

Public Input:

Sally Satkowiak, parent, asked which aides were part of the reductions at the elementary buildings. Mr. Koledo stated no classrooms aides were reduced – playground aides affected by number of hours worked per day.

Mrs. Satkowiak asked if the contracted Special Education Director would be exclusive to Linden or spread out. Superintendent Koledo stated the individual would be shared with two other districts. He also stated that we would have a teacher consultant who is currently on staff be the go to person and work in conjunction with the contracted director.

Mrs. Satkowiak asked if the change in health insurance non contractual staff would remain the same. Mr. Koledo shared information on what Mr. Engelter has been researching and it appears it would stay the same, but it could be better. Nothing concrete known at this time.

Mrs. Satkowiak asked where these proposed buts would put us. Mr. Koledo stated approximately $2,000-$3,000 over budget. Mr. Koledo also stated the district could receive less money per student than had been budgeted for and possibly less for the 2009-10 school year. Mrs. Satkowiak feels the budget for 2009-10 should be based on $300-$500 less per student.

Gary Hall, resident, feels the district should base their budget and plan for the worst case scenario.

Lynn Brothers, ESP president, indicated a district can operate off their fund equity. Ms. Brothers shared information on Title I funding and Title I aides who had been laid off. She stated she would like to sit down with administration and the union to discuss alternative ideas. Mr. Koledo suggested she put her ideas on paper.

Kim Shadduck, parent, stated the changes scare her – what will it be like in two years. This is something that needs to be watched very closely. Mrs. Shadduck feels we need to reach out to parents to volunteer for playground duty, etc.

Mrs. Satkowiak suggested sending parents a letter asking them to get involved if they have the time. They could reading in the classroom, etc.

Terry Page, maintenance employee, asked if we will be sitting here next year doing the same, and if so, we need to jump on it so we are not in the same position again.

The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.