A growing debt that has Superintendent Jim Feil deciding what to cut.
TRAVERSE CITY -- In January, TCAPS was projecting a budget shortfall of around $3 million. They had talked about covering some of that by making cuts, and by dipping into their rainy day fund.
That dollar amount and the plan changed, when the governor presented her budget proposal, per pupil funding dropped, and the district may now face a deficit of $4.5 million.
Superintendent Jim Feil will present his plans to deal with the issue on Monday, but agreed to sit down, so we could give you a preview.
"There is no quick fix" Feil says they are big numbers, with a big impact for TCAPS students, and staff. A growing debt that has superintendent Jim Feil deciding what to cut.
I sat down with Superintendent Feil:
"What criteria did you use? "
"The criteria is pretty easy because you should always go back to your mission and vision what are you attempting to do? we have indentified our priorities as student achievement."
The superintendent has outlined just over 2.4 million dollars that will be slashed from next year's budget to meet the current bottom line.
Jim Feil says "As you see some of the items I proposed for reduction we wouldn't reinstate if we had the money, some we would."
Feil is proposing both cuts and long term spending on the same sheet. He is trying to decide what should be funded when the financial picture improves.
So what is getting cut now? $300,000 in elementary education. 3rd grade TAG Program would be dropped. Even if more money came into the district, they would look to increase the student to teacher ratio, cut hours for kindergarten aides, and adjust principals duties.
If more money comes in the district would reinstate nursing and math facilitators for elementary education and plus add services like all day kindergarten and foreign language.
$642,000 in secondary education cuts are called for. Cuts in middle school electives and secondary materials. As well as a change in staffing responsibilities. In the future, if more money rolls in, Feil says that money should go towards reinstating nursing, and staffing, as well as reducing class size.
$500,000 in costs by eliminating some buses. The plan is to move 12 busses out of the fleet and reorganization of routes.
Close to $150,000 in special education cuts and early childhood programs, and just over $400,000 in operations and maintenance fees.
School officials say these are deep cuts, that still have to go before the board, parents, and staff of schools already stretching every dollar.
Superintendent Feil pointed out "I think it puts us a point closer to at risk levels but something we can shoulder. It is not something I like to sustain for the long run."
The superintendent's proposals will be formally presented at Monday's School Board meeting. That meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at the TCAPS Administration building on Boardman Avenue.
Want more? Get the full documents here.
TCAPS Three Point Plan Recommendation on BOE Agenda
DRAFT Three Point Plan Recommendation as of 3-4-09
