School budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year unanimously approved

Members of the Onaway Area Community Schools Board of Education approved a $275,000 deficit budget for the 2005-06 school year at their meeting Monday.

It may sound like a deep financial hole, but it could have been a lot worse.

Initially, the deficit was between $400,000 and $500,000, but with adjustments by the school board, working hand-in-hand with administration, the figure was reduced to $275,000.

The board needed to approve a new budget before the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

According to business manager Rod Fullerton, general fund revenues were projected to be $6,790,042, while expenditures were expected to be $7,065,563.

“The things they did to get to that point were to absorb two teaching positions,” said superintendent Bob Szymoniak.

Buyout packages were approved by the board and offered to the most senior members of the teaching staff, of which five accepted the deals for early retirement.

THE HIRING of the replacements at a lower steps in pay made the reduction in the deficit possible, and instead of looking at further cuts, Szymoniak said, a program that fell under the budget-cutting ax last year will return for the upcoming school year.

Some board members expressed their regret in losing the experienced members of the teaching staff, but this was the best possible option, especially under these uncertain economic times. “This budget maintains the programming we had last year, but through the restructuring of staff it helps to bring back some elementary physical education,” said Szymoniak.

“In effect, what we have done is made some cuts and we are dipping into our fund equity, and yet I feel the school will be stronger through the creative use of our staff.”

> Future budgets are not going to be an easier to approve.

There is a concern about the fund equity of the district dropping off significantly in the coming years.

If the cost of health insurance continues to sky rocket and/or more revenue isn’t secured, difficult decisions may be facing future school boards in Onaway, as well as boards across the state.

A HANDFUL OF hirings were approved at Monday’s meeting, including English teacher Sarah Ross. Ross, a first-year teacher from Charlevoix, taught English and drama classes to 7th through 12th graders at Northwest Academy.

“She comes highly recommended and I think will be a very strong candidate,” said Szymoniak. Diane Kabot was hired as literacy coach for the Reading First Grant, while Rachel Bischoff-Peel, Patricia Schell, and Heather Peters were approved as reading first paraprofessionals and will have their positions paid from a grant, Szymoniak. The next school board meeting is July 11.

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