AMAESD discusses propsed budget cuts

By CRYSTAL NELSON

News Staff Writer

During the Alpena Montmorency Alcona Educational Service District's Board of Education meeting Monday evening Superintendent Brian Wilmot told board members about legislator's proposed budget cuts to the State School Aid Act.

Wilmot told the board of the senate's reduction to per-pupil funding and how they fill the gap in with federal restabilization money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"There has been significant discussion about how our state used the ARRA to balance their own budget," he said and noted there are a lot of people who are upset about it.

He said five percent, or over $77 million, will cut from the Intermediate School District's general operations money. He also drew the board's attention to programs targeted for cuts that were specifically related to the Intermediate School Districts programs and services. Among the senates proposed eliminations for the 2009-10 Fiscal Year are early childhood grants, school readiness, math remediation grants and advanced and accelerated funding that supports AMA ESD's Camp Green.

"So significant cuts in early childhood programs, which is not very believable. All of the research that says that's where you want to invest your dollars because that's where the return on investments seem to be the greatest, so it's really hard to figure where they're coming with those moves," he said.

Wilmot said another significant proposed reduction in funding for math-science centers like Sprinkler Lake Education Center the AMA ESD operates. He said the recommendation coming out of the senate would be the elimination of all funding for math-science center equating to 40 percent of the dollars the AMA ESD receives to operate the center.

He said the AMA ESD will receive some dollars for special education funds from the ARRA.

"The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will be sending us some money to support programs and services for students with disabilities. That's basically all that the ISD will receive," he said and added that although they are significant dollars there are rules connected with special education laws as to how the money can be spent.

Wilmot said he, along with area superintendents were able to speak with Andy Neuman in may and voice their concerns. He said as a group the superintendents lobby as well as the Michigan Association of School Boards for the interest of schools so there is continual contact with legislators to inform them of what's going on.

As part of the boards organizational meeting re-elected board members Bob Young, Richard Matteson and Tom Sharpe took their oath of office.The board also re-elected John Pines as President, Naomi Deo as Vice President, Norm Sommerfeld as Treasurer, Ralph Stepaniak as Secretary and appointed Donna Meyer as Board Recording Secretary.

The board then established that it would meet at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month at the AMA ESD with the exception of the December meeting which will be held at Pied Piper Opportunity Center. The board appointed the Thrun Law Firm, P.C. as District Counsel for district related matters, Straley, Ilsley and Lamp, P.C. as ESD auditors and authorized depositories for 2009-10.

In other business:

• The board voted unanimously to authorize administration to pay the above rates for the 2009-10 school year.

• The board authorized administration to set student meal prices for the 2009-10 school year with student breakfast at $1, reduced breakfast at $0.30, student lunch at $2.25 and reduced lunch at $0.40.

• The board voted unanimously to approve a resolution of amendment bylaws of the Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative and approve Assistant Superintendent Tony Suszek as the AMA ESD representative.

• The board also approved its schedule of investments, its financial statements for June and board expenses.

• The board scheduled its retreat for Aug. 10, and its next regular meeting will convene at 5:30 a.m. on Aug. 13, at the AMA ESD.

Crystal Nelson can be reached via e-mail at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.