Band, Drama, Transportation on List of Potential Brighton School Cuts
Here's the complete list of proposed budget cuts and cost savings the district is considering.
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Brighton Area Schools could be facing a $450,000 deficit this year without the sale of Lindbom Elementary School on top of a legacy debt of $7.4 million.
On Monday night, Brighton Superintendent Greg Gray and Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger presented School Board members with almost $7.9 million in budget cuts for the next fiscal year.
The proposal also included $198,844 in savings for this year that would go into effect April 1.
Board members will review the list and give feedback to administrators by noon on Friday.
Here are the proposed cuts:
Current year reductions
| Item | Cost Savings |
| Layoff Nurse | $25,046 |
| Outsource Maintenance | $75,033 |
| Outsource Secretaries | $98,765 |
Reductions for 2013-14 school year
| Item | Cost Savings |
| Layoff Nurse | $90,165 |
| Outsource Maintenance | $110,000 |
| Outsource secretaries Reduce by 8 FTE* |
$499,680 |
| Re-outsource custodians | $170,000 |
| Outsource Hall Monitor | $8,000 |
| Teaching reduction by 10.5 FTE* | 1,142,547 average teachers cost |
| Paraprofessional reduction by 3 FTE* | $78,016 average para cost |
| Media specialists share elementaries | $217,628 average cost |
| Eliminate paraprofessionals in the media center | $156,300 |
| OR Staff media centers with paraprofessionals with 1 Librarian district-wide |
$405,800 |
| Police Liaison | $79,663 |
| Reinstate pay to play | $240,000 |
| Eliminate crossing guards | $10,700 |
| Eliminate swim paraprofessional | $6,400 |
| Eliminate Educational Assistants Mileage |
$112,008 $1,100 |
| Eliminate Textbook Budget | $480,000 |
| Eliminate bus paraprofessionals | $132,500 |
| Restructure Principals | $312,279 |
| Schedule B ** | $62,582 |
| Schedule C *** | $49,810 |
| VMI Paraprofessional | $20,860 |
| Instrumental Specialists | $16,258 |
| Special Education Summer School | $21,100 |
| Curriculum Stipends & Testing Stipends | $111,500 |
| Facebook PR | $6,000 |
| In house print shop - Summer | $13,700 |
| HR Sub Assistant | $2,500 |
| Reduce Community Ed Budget | $250,000 |
| Reduce Athletic Budget | $100,000 |
| OR Eliminate Athletics | $643,318 |
| Eliminate Transportation | $1,960,710 |
| Not buy buses this year | $335,000 |
* Full Time Equivalent (FTE)
**Schedule B
- Class Sponsors
- Student Council
- NHS
- Drama
- Safety Patrol
- Academic Co-curriculars
***Schedule C
- High School Band
- High School Choir
- Middle School Band
- Middle School Choir
- High School Yearbook
- High School Newspaper
- Intermediate School Band
- Intermediate School Choir
- DECA
- 5th Grade Camp
Staci Bennett
8:18 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
The cost saved by eliminating Schedule C (Band in all schools) is not enough to out weigh the detriment it will bring to our schools/children. There are studies that show how beneficial music is to children and the successes it brings to them in society, school, life, and developing intelligence. Further, if the school district is looking to bring additional "School of Choice" families to our area, getting rid of the band program will not accomplish that. I also do not agree with totally eliminating athletics. Keeping pay to play is not a bad idea, but eliminating them in total would be terrible. Music and athletics are outlets for children. Children learn valuable life lessons taking part in athletics. I feel if you eliminate band and athletics the school district will lose even additional money due to the fact that families would leave this school district in favor of school of choice somewhere else. I know I would contemplate it!!
Lori Vachon
9:19 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I completely agree with previous comment. If we lose the highly regarded band program, we will seriously consider surrounding districts. Some of these costs are just absurd in general: $6,000 for Facebook PR. Give me the job I'll do it for free...not that difficult!
Nicole Krawcke
9:24 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Hi Lori, thanks for your comment. We actually did a story on the district's social media costs not too long ago: http://patch.com/A-1fNf
Mike S.
10:01 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
Didn't we just pass a millage or bond issue to give the district millions for improvements? Hmmmmm....wonder why we now have to cut. Priorities people....
The Gizmobird
8:02 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Bond money for improvements and facilities repair can not be used for operating expenses. You get a 33 1/2 years to pay for what u build and fix up now and in the near future. I hope you will be happy with what u get for a long long time.
Nicole Krawcke
10:57 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
A comment has been deleted because it violated our Acceptable Use Policy. http://brighton.patch.com/terms Also, please refrain from commenting about individuals and keep them on the issues at hand. Thanks!
Kelly Michalak
6:45 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Have there been any updates? Some of us alumni are very interested.
The Gizmobird
7:56 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Trying to balance the budget on the backs of the least paid employees IE Nurse,Maintenance,Secretaries,Para Pros,and don't forget Media Center Personnel Is NOT the answer .The answer in in fair and equtible state school funding. And it should be a #1 priority of this School Board and Administration to beat on Lansing's doors and get other districts to join the fight for fair funding!!!