Response to cuts: School Board draws about 80 discussing budget cuts
Published 1:11 pm Friday, March 11, 2005
By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - All of the schools are in the same boat, lower enrollments and the need to slash budgets.
Cassopolis Public Schools has been lucky to have a financial officer in the past 10 years who has kept a vigilant watch over expenses and revenue, while also securing grants which have helped update and maintain school buildings.
Dick DeVos, whose 10th anniversary was in February with the Cassopolis District, informed the interested parents and members of the community Monday evening of the need to cut $400,000 to $500,000 from the school's budget.
The loss of revenue is the problem, DeVos said. "This is not a unique problem," he said. Tracking students who have left the district, they found many have moved out of the state. Superintendent William Trujillo said 40 percent of the students' families presently rent their homes.
The district has lost 124 students, each representing $6,700 in state aid, but also gain 40 from the School of Choice program, DeVos said.
The administration and school board has already reduced the budget by $370,000 last summer and continues to look for additional places to cut.
The open meeting at the Ross Beatty High School Monday was a way to not only inform the public of possible cuts, but a request for input.
The focus was on the students, in looking at ways to cut, without hurting beneficial programs.
Drivers education would continue, said Trujillo, but they would like to no longer subsidize it.
Another idea offered was to have a charge to play athletics.
Talk also went to adding advanced educational programs to make the district more attractive.
Praise was given to the fact that Sam Adams Elementary School has become a Blue Ribbon School. That should be advertised more, it was suggested.