State House Vote On School Funding Angers UCS Parents, Officials

On Thursday, Michigan legislators passed House Bill 4325, which dictates severe funding cuts to community colleges, universities and public schools. The cuts, which will go into effect in October, have been called “devastating” by local school boards.

The bill slashes spending to K-12 schools by 3.5 percent, a number that sounds minuscule, but means cuts ranging from $256 to $297 per pupil when compared with funding for the current school year.

These cuts come in addition to a $170-per-student cut that's already in place and will be carried over into the next fiscal year.

Funding for community colleges and universities will also be cut by up to 22 percent.

The cuts were slightly reduced from what Gov. Rick Snyder had called for in his budget.

The Republican-led House approved the bill by a narrow 57-53 vote.

“Budget reductions of this magnitude make it difficult to avoid having an impact on classroom instruction and program offerings,” said Utica Community Schools Board President Carol Klenow.

UCS said it will continue to look for ways to work with lawmakers by cutting wherever it can, but after two sets of reductions since January, the district is looking at a $19-million budget deficit if the school funding bill is enacted.

In the past few years UCS has reduced operating costs by $65 million by implementing the

• Closing four elementary schools.

• Eliminating staff at all levels—a total of 492 positions eliminated, including 11 administrative positions.

• Eliminating the elementary strings program.

• Eliminating elementary foreign language.

• Reducing secondary course elective offerings.

• Reducing band and athletic offerings.

• Implementing pay-to-participate fees for athletics.

• Implementing employee furlough days and a salary step freeze.

• Increasing fees for facility use, preschool and school-age child care.

• Contracting out 55 custodial and 30 technology support positions.

• Reducing transportation.

• Expanding Schools of Choice enrollment.

• Working with employee groups to have them contribute to their health care. The majority of the associations are already paying the 20 percent health care premium that lawmakers suggest to local districts as one way to address state cuts.

“We’re asking for sacrifices from people,” .

The school funding proposal has outraged parents and UCS educators.

“Parents have been concerned with every budget cut made in UCS over the past six years. When those budget cuts have affected programs and opportunities for their children, they are angry. In fact, everyone who has a stake in the district is angry. I can’t imagine any other reaction–who doesn’t want quality schools and abundant opportunities for students?” said Klenow.

On the Shelby-Utica Patch Facebook page, a local parent wrote “ANGRY AS HELL!!!” in response to how the school cuts have made parents feel.

“It is important that our parents continue to advocate on behalf of the students in our community,” said UCS representative Tim McAvoy. “This is a legislative process and a final package has yet to be passed by both chambers and signed by the governor. Parents with concerns need to contact their lawmakers.”