Royal Oak School Board Begins Talks of Shouldering $4.5 Million in Cuts

will meet Thursday to begin discussing how the district will handle an anticipated $4.5 million cut in funding for the next school year.

As part of his recent budget proposal, Gov. Rick Snyder wants to cut per-pupil funding by $470, bringing down the district’s per-student funding to $8,608. If Snyder’s proposal clears the House and Senate, the district would face a nearly $5 million hit.

“Right now we’re proceeding with $470 per pupil,” said John Schwartz, executive director of business and personnel services. Two years ago, Royal Oak received $9,340 for each student in state funding, Schwartz said. Now the school district receives $9,078 per pupil for its estimated 5,280 students. The total student count is a blend of the September and February count days, with more emphasis placed on how many students are counted in September.

State per-pupil funding makes up about 83 percent of the district’s revenue.

The district is also estimating a decrease in students for the 2011-12 school year of about 108, worsening the blow. “We’re expected to do a lot more with a heck of a lot less,” Schwartz said.

The district has been proactive in handling dwindling finances already, privatizing support staff and eliminating busing effective this year, a move saving the district about $500,000. In recent years, the district has downsized from 13 elementary schools to six, two middle schools to one and merged two high schools into one.

The central office also went down from four administrators to two this year. “In Royal Oak, I think we’ve been pretty forward thinking,” Schwartz said. 

Beginning tonight, school board members are going to have to start weighing even tougher discussions on how to absorb the latest forecasted loss. 

Schwartz will begin offering recommended cuts and revenue enhancements to arrive at a balanced budget document. “There is a lot at stake,” he said. “We’re really trying to minimize the impact on students.”

Throughout the budgeting process there would be restructuring, but Royal Oak will still remaining a great school district, Schwartz said. “I’m confident we’re going to get there.” 

Other items on Thursday's agenda:

• budget amendments to the food and community service funds;
• an extension agreement with the Royal Oak Educational Support Association; 
• and the acceptance of an anonymous gift benefiting special education.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. inside the at 1123 Lexington Blvd.

Check back with RoyalOak.Patch.com for meeting details.