5/14/13 - With a budget deficit of more than $3 million looming, the Howell School Board approved budget cuts last night that include teacher layoffs. Superintendent of Finance Rick Terres presented the plan to the board, outlining the budget cuts, new revenue, and fund balance actions that were needed to balance the budget for the coming year. The largest cut was the laying off of 16 teachers, saving the district at least $965,000. Also included was the elimination of 5 other positions within the district for another $335,000. The elimination of the teachers may be mitigated by retirements within the district, with seven retirements budgeted but as many as 14 expected to take place. This would allow some of the laid off teachers to simply shift within the district rather than leave altogether. The school board unanimously approved the recommended budget reductions, but they only add up to about $2.2 million. Terres tells WHMI the remaining $1.25 million will come out of the districtâs $6.2 million fund balance. He says the district has set a 7.5% fund balance position, which is higher than the state average, and spending some of that reserve will help Howell balance its budget without impacting its educational programming. He says the board will have to deal with a budget deficit in the 2014-2015 school year as well, but that one should be less than $2 million. (TD)
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