Oxford Schools surplus to offset state cuts

Oxford Area Community Schools is preparing to lose around $223,000 from this year’s budget due to cuts at the state level, but the good news is a $230,000 surplus will offset the effects ? for now.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced late last week that a shortfall of $127 million in the state school aid budget will require across-the-board spending cuts in education. In addition, cuts are expected to be announced in the budget’s categorical spending, which affects district programs such as special education transportation, remedial reading, school lunch subsidies and professional training.
The average local school district will be losing approximately $56 per student from foundation grant allocations; however, reports have claimed some districts losing over $100 per student.
According to Assistant Superintendent Ron Franey, Oxford Schools is losing the average amount of $56 per student, or $223,000 total.
“I think those numbers are subject to change,” he added. “None of this is really settled yet and it won’t be for a bit.”
“I just knew there would be cuts, I just never knew how much and that’s the big surprise.”
Already the numbers have changed from 3.1 percent per school to 3.8 percent since the governor’s office released the announcement. Also, the state legislature can reverse Granholm’s decision over the next few weeks; however, members would then have to either create an alternative budget proposal or find additional funding in an already short state budget.
Franey said the most upsetting point was the change from Gov. Granholm’s campaign promises to protect state aid funding to public schools.
“She said she would at least maintain the amounts, but then boom all of a sudden we get hit with this.”
Oxford Schools though are sitting fairly well for this school year. Thanks to around $1 million in budget cuts this past school year, the district currently has a $230,000 surplus, which would be eaten up entirely by the state funding cuts.
The district will not be looking at layoffs for this year, but officials are considering ways to trim the budget even more, said Franey. One of the areas getting close scrutiny will be “overtime” around the district. Even more state funding cuts for the upcoming school year though could force personnel cutbacks.
“It’s a bump in the road there’s no doubt about that,” said Franey. “It’s an odd position to be in – I just went to the board with the news of a surplus, and now it’s going to be gone, taken away, and now I’m returning with news of a possible shortfall.”
These announcements come hot on the heels of new education mandates attempting to make schools more accountable through the federal “No Child Left Behind” legislation and the state-wide Education YES! requirements. Both will require schools to spend more time and money on curriculum, paperwork and supplies.
“We’re planning for the future and trying to be fiscally responsible the best we know how,” said Franey. “All we can do is sit and wait – all they are telling administrators is that this is still in legislation.”

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