6/16/14 - The Howell Board of Education needs to reduce the districtâs staffing level next year, but does not want to lose elementary-level counselors to do it. The board discussed a funding gap for next yearâs budget at its most recent meeting. By current projections there will be a significant funding shortfall, and administrative staff recommended a staffing reduction to cover the difference. It was suggested that the board cut a total of 8.5 positions from across the district, including two elementary-school counselors. A motion to that effect was made by Trustee Mike Moloney, but failed with only two votes. Other members of the board were against reducing the counseling staff at elementary schools, and a motion by Board Secretary Kim Witt to eliminate the positions while keeping the counselors was approved with four votes to three. However, Associate Superintendent of Finance Rick Terres tells WHMI this does not necessarily mean layoffs will take place. A total of 14 teachers are either retiring or going on leaves of absence, so the district can simply leave some of those positions unfilled to meet the required reduction in staffing. Terres says insufficient funding from the state and declining student enrollment are to blame for the budget shortfall. (TD)
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