Now that we have entered the month of December, the weather has finally decided to start acting like it should. Not that anyone was complaining with the above average temperatures we were enjoying, but you must admit, there is a certain amount of comfort that comes with the holiday season, including cold weather and a blanket of snow – things seem to be back to normal.
As we approach the end of another calendar year, we again find ourselves in the midst of trying to figure out how we can somehow do more with less. Limited school funding along with the ever rising costs have put more and more pressure on each school district and the school business officials that help run them. It is unfortunate that dealing with these problems has become the norm for Michigan’s schools. I look forward to returning to a time where Michigan’s schools can spend their time working to enhance learning instead of looking for the least painful cuts to implement.
The combination of challenges that Michigan’s schools have faced since 2001 is unprecedented. As the nation entered an economic recession after September 11 and from which, Michigan has never fully recovered, schools have slowly but surely been cutting programs and reducing staff and moving towards the cliff of bankruptcy. This past year’s fund balance information has been released by MDE and it shows 41 school districts and public school academies having already taken that plunge. Many more districts are teetering on the edge and the latest midyear cuts ensure another group of schools is being shoved over the edge.
We don’t know what the future holds for school funding, but we do know that in the short term the $127 per pupil proration was postponed at least until January. We struggle with the piece meal information we receive with all the ebbing and flowing of shortfalls, but at least the January 11, 2010 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference will give us definitive information. After the state’s thorough review of underlying data provided by various sources, the Treasurer, Senate Fiscal Director and the House Fiscal Director will close out our 2008-09 year, update the revenue and expense estimates for the 2009-10 year we are in and give us our first official look at what the 2010-11 year holds.
This may start a whole new set of speculations, but at least we will know where we stand. Just in time to prepare an update to our current fiscal year budget and begin (or continue) to prepare for the 2010-11 budget and upcoming negotiations.
And as we look for positive news for school funding, a recently released poll commissioned by a coalition of media groups suggested that Michigan voters do not want education cuts, although the number one issue on their minds is jobs. When asked a question if schools should be cut the same as other parts of state government, 79 percent of active and likely voters said K-12 funding should not be cut.
MSBO members should be proud. You perform a tiring and thankless job, always having to play the bad guy or gal it seems – doing what’s right, following the rules and making sure our boards and superintendents have solid information, whether positive or negative, to make good decisions. We may not always agree with the decisions that are made, but we know that our part of the leadership equation does make a difference!
So as you make your way through the month of December where you will hopefully have time to enjoy the comfort provided by family and friends, we at MSBO wish you and your loved ones a safe and peaceful holiday season and great New Year.
Take it easy - you will need your energy as you hit the ground running in 2010!