Officials Warn of Possible Staff, Programming Cuts in Berkley Schools

Officials urged community members to voice opposition to Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed K-12 funding cuts – or risk devastating staff and programming cuts – during two events Monday night in Berkley.

Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods) met with approximately 20 constituents at the before making the short drive to , where she and administrators spoke to approximately 200 people about the potential impacts of the governor's proposed budget.

Snyder's 2012 fiscal year projections include a $1.4 billion general fund shortfall for the state of Michigan, which he is working to close through a series of proposed cuts and changes. 

His budget plan would alter the way Michigan's 1994 Proposal A school funding law is implemented. The plan would shift $195.9 million worth of dedicated K-12 funding to community colleges and $699.7 million of funding to higher education. Meaning, if funds were not diverted for community colleges and higher education, the school aid fund's projected year-end balance would be $991.4 million and K-12 education would not be facing such steep cuts, according to the district's presentation Monday.

The governor's proposal, coupled with increased costs for health care and retirees, could cost the Berkley School District approximately $1,000 per pupil, officials said. Superintendent Michael Simeck has warned that could mean the elimination of programs, fewer teachers and larger class sizes.

Monday night, Simeck got more specific, citing "possible or likely reductions" the district would face if the governor's budget proposal passes, including:

• salary and benefits cost concessions;
• administrative reductions at , and in the district's administrative offices;
• paraeducator, secretarial and lunch aide changes; and
• layoffs of at least 40 teachers and 15 teacher aides.

The layoffs would have a domino effect, Simeck said, resulting in the following:

• increased class sizes;
• large, split-grade classes created;
• elimination of Berkley High School block scheduling;
• reduction or elimination of special classes such as art, music, physical education and media;
• reduction of elective classes at Berkley High School; and
• reduction of one counselor position.

"I think the district is being proactive and pretty forthcoming," said Chris Kinney, who has two children in the Berkley School District. "If this goes through, that's how it is."

The officials warned that the clock is ticking for constituents who want to take action. 

Snyder has directed legislators to have the state budget prepared by the end of May and the school district's layoff notices also would be due by the end of that month. Cogen Lipton said the governor's proposed budgets are going through the House appropriations committee this week before moving to the floor, where amendments would be less likely.

"I suspect that even when these (budgets) pass out of the full appropriations committee, I think they'll pass out largely unchanged and be ready for the floor," she said. "Then, the issue will be whether the speaker is getting enough pressure from his members to make changes."

Because Cogen Lipton does not expect members of the Democratic caucus to vote in favor of the proposed cuts, she said opponents would need to persuade at least nine Republicans to vote against the K-12 funding plan.

Those who were interested in writing to lawmakers had the opportunity to do so Monday night after the discussion at Anderson, where pre-printed postcards and legislators' addresses were provided. The district also urged attendees to talk with friends, neighbors and the media about the issue, and to call, write, email or visit legislators to express their concerns.

"The time has come when parents and educators and the school board are all in the same boat. The us vs. them is over," Berkley Mayor Marilyn Stephan said after the event. "We're all in it together. We've got to solve it together or not at all."

What's next

Potential Berkley School District layoffs are to be addressed May 2 during the next Board of Education meeting.