Fourteen teachers in Clarkston will received pink slips after the Clarkston School Board approved notification at the April 24 board meeting. However, Superintendent Dr. Al Roberts expressed confidence these teachers will have jobs come September.
‘Most of these folk will be back with us come September,? Roberts said, indicating the district is contractually obligated to approve pink slips at this time of year despite budgetary uncertainty. ‘The reality and the truth is that most of them will be back with us.?
Despite reassurances from administrators, Board Trustee John Koval voiced his displeasure with staff reductions and classroom cosolidation. In particular, Koval pointed to one teacher receiving a pink slip who is part of the OSMTech program, which the district is planning to expand next year. Deputy Superintendent Dave Reschke indicated that if the teacher did not return in the fall, another teacher would be appointed and the progam would continue to operate with the same number of instructors.
‘Unfortauntely, we don’t have a crystal ball, and as Dr. Roberts said we’re contractually obligated to make these decisions right now,? said Treasurer Ron Sullivan during discussion.
The board also approved budget cuts that were discussed at the April 10 board meeting wih a vote of 6-1. Koval raised several concerns after a motion was made to approve the cuts. His disenting vote was made after discussing the need to cut extracurricular activity funding and classroom consolidation.
‘My conern is with class size. I don’t want to increase class size at all,? Koval said.
Despite the increases, other board memebrs assured Koval that the sizes were still well within range of the district’s contract class sizes.
‘This is one time I don’t care what the contract says,? Koval replied.
Even though Koval protested, the following cuts were approved by the board:
? Increasing average class sizes at Clarkston High School to 29:1 from 27.5:1, at Clarkston Junior High to 28.5:1 from 27:1 and at Sashabaw Middle School to 28.5:1 from 27:1. Currently, The change would save approximately $757,406 and would reduce staff by 8.6 full-time employees.
‘Increasing class size average at the four non-Title I K-5 schools to 25:1 from 23.5:1 and at the three Title I K-5 schools (AE, NSE and PKE) to 23:1 from 21.5:1. This reduction would save approximately $485,825 and reduce staff by 7.5 full time employees.
? Reducing non-core teacher support in K-5 physical education, health, art and music to match staff reductions. This reduction would save approximately $88,640 and would reduce staff by 1.8 full time employees.
? Reduce non-load bearing building teacher support in grades 6-12. This reduction would save approximately $34,100 and would reduce staff by .6 full time employees.
? Reduce aide days from 179 to 169 days to match student attendance minus five days. Classroom or instructional aides would be required to be in school less days. During discussion Moore and Reschke indicated the district would prefer to cut developmental days where students are not in school. The reduction would save approximately $158,000, but would not impact staff size.
? Eliminate General Fund money for extra-curricular clubs and intramural. Funding would only remain for service clubs an co-curricular activities, but extra-curricular groups like Future Problem Solvers and language clubs would be ‘pay-to-play.? This reduction would save approximately $192.206 and club sponsors would be paid by student fees.
? Energy saving plans that would change maintenance staff schedules and would save approximately $220,100.
? Reducing allocations for health insurance premiums to save approximately $200,000.