LC Schools Grapple With Budget Deficit

Thirty-five students will be graduated this May from Cedarville High School, but only 19 students will enter kindergarten this fall, a 16-student decline in enrollment.

The numbers are evidence of an enrollment trend that has plagued the Les Cheneaux Community Schools district for more than a decade. While Clark Township's population has increased in the last decade, there are fewer residents with children, and fewer children in families. When each student brings the school $7,525 in state funding, a 16-student drop means a $120,400 cut in revenue, the cost of two or three school jobs.

Michigan's declining enrollment provision allows districts like Les Cheneaux to average student enrollment over three years to reduce the impact of sharp enrollment declines.

Superintendent Rod Goehmann announced the numbers at an April 16 Board of Education meeting, where trustees and an audience of nearly 30 people hashed out the meaning of next year's looming budget deficit. The board considered laying off teachers, and ultimately decided against it. At an earlier meeting, they considered contracting custodial services to save money, but have yet to decide on that. As the board gets closer to adopting next year's budget, it faces a $171,000 deficit and only $40,000 in the fund balance.

In the past, a healthy fund balance of more than $200,000 each year provided a way to balance the budget without making deep cuts.

"We're fast reaching a point where our fund equity is not going to be available anymore," Superintendent Rod Goehmann told the board.

School employees at the meeting questioned the wisdom of state lawmakers, who plan to reduce school funding $90 to $150 per pupil this summer to help balance the state budget.

Governor Jennifer Granholm alerted schools Monday, April 30, that the funds could be cut as much as $125 by June 1 if the Legislature can find other ways to balance the state budget by then.

School funding has increased during the past two years, although administrators say the increases have not kept pace with skyrocketing health insurance and retirement benefit costs, which are negotiated in teacher contracts at the local level. Nevertheless, several residents suggested that Lansing lawmakers need to "wake up" and fix the problem.

"I have to point out to the board and audience that this isn't entirely Lansing's problem," Mr. Goehmann said. "When you have a drop from 371 to 332 [students], obviously we're going to get less revenue."

Ten years ago, Les Cheneaux Community Schools had 433 students. An enrollment forecast commissioned in 2001 by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District predicted that Les Cheneaux would have 435 students this year.

Suggestions from residents included being more vocal in promoting public school funding reform, fundraising, and engaging local government in bringing jobs to the area. Cedarville teacher Joanna Izzard complimented the board and staff for adopting a team approach to solving funding problems.

"I love the idea that we're working together here as a team, and I'm glad you are deciding to retain teachers, because with the state's new educational standards and requirements, it will be harder to implement all the changes," Mrs. Izzard said.

In other business, trustees gave permission to Les Cheneaux Preschool to continue using a room in the elementary school for instruction, and to use the cafeteria and halls for its annual Holiday Craft Bazaar Saturday, November 24.

Mr. Goehmann will research the possibility of refinancing its rental house after Jim Mertaugh rescinded his bid to purchase it. Mr. Mertaugh's was the only bid received when trustees tried to sell the house this winter.

"I think we need help, and it should be listed with someone who has the resources and the time to work on selling it," President Dan Burrows said.

In its first meeting since the Class D State Finals in March, the board commend boys varsity basketball coach Dave Duncan and the varsity boys basketball team. High School Principal Randy Schaedig also recognized student Emily Feldhake for receiving a Michigan High School Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award at the MHSAA State Finals in East Lansing.

Mr. Schaedig reported that the high school is nearing compliance with the federal Highly Qualified Teacher requirements of the No Child Left Behind act. The requirement is for teachers to have a bachelor's or higher degree in their teaching field, and be fully certified and endorsed for their teaching assignment. There are more specific criteria for each subject taught, and for different grade levels.

He further reported that Michigan's Department of Education guidelines for student aides will eliminate nearly all student aides in the school next year.

"This has, in the past, provided students with valuable experience, but also provided a lot of assistance to staff and other students," he said. "This will require making sure we have course offerings for all of these students."

Elementary Principal Eric Cardwell announced that two new trash cans have been purchased for the playground, and a playground sign and infant swing will be ordered in May. Vern and Jackie Malkowski of Cedarville are donating another child swing to the playground, he reported. The couple lives across from the playground, and Mrs. Malkowski works in the school's food service department.