2/12/13 - On a split vote, the Brighton Board of Education approved a revised 2012-13 budget of about $52 million at its meeting Monday night, with the caveat that the budget be trimmed in the weeks ahead to get revenues in line with expenditures. The problem, according to Superintendent Greg Gray, is that expenses are greater than projected revenues, unless the vacant Lindbom School is sold. The elementary building is on the market and Gray says several people have indicated an interest in it, but so far there are no buyers. Lindbom, which was closed several years ago because of declining enrollment, has a market value pegged at between $1.7 and $2 million. The school is located on State Street, on Brightonâs west side. Gray tells WHMI itâs important to note that a budget is a working document and can be amended at any time, which gives the board enough time to make the needed reductions before the end of the fiscal year on June 30. But Assistant Superintendent of Finance Maria Gistinger cautioned that the cuts must be made fairly soon, saying the longer the board waits the harder it is to find areas where to make cuts. If Lindbom is not sold, and without further budget cuts, the district could find itself about $450,000 in the hole at the end of the fiscal year. Gray said that would be very disappointing, since the board and administration have worked worked hard in whittling down the legacy deficit. The red ink at one time stood at $15 million, but is now less than half that, at $7 million. Board members promised to work with administration in future meetings to work on specific areas where the budget can be trimmed without directly affecting programs or students. (TT)
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