When it comes to Northern Michigan small towns, Buckley is pretty typical. It has a lot of farms, and a lot of hard working people. Like most others, this small town has a relatively small school, made of about 420 students in grades K through 12. But unlike other small communities, this one has won a pretty big award. 75 high schools in Michigan, including a handful in our viewing area were honored for student achievement based on a number of criteria by U.S. News and World report. For Buckley to be on the list they had to overcome what some might say was a pretty big hurdle. Principal Todd Kulawiak explains "We meet the criteria basically because of our economically disadvantaged students base, and we are 51% below poverty and so what it says in a nutshell is we should have lower scores, because of that student base and we aren't we are having higher scores."
In fact according to Kulawiak, "We are actually performing 22.4% higher than the state average." That's an accomplishment for any school, but Kulawiak is quick to point out that the students here have more than just economic hurdles to overcome, they have very busy lives. He explains "a lot of students are getting up at 4:30 am, milking cows doing chores around the farm, coming to school, learning, getting an education and then maybe doing extracurricular after school so they put in full days and are hard working."
So how is this school, which is dealing with the same state funding cuts and the same rising costs doing it? Buckley Schools have not only avoided lay offs and program eliminations they've actually expanded thanks to a technology millage that 75% of voters supported. Kulawiak says "everyone says it's a diamond in the rough. Our technology is probably one of the best in the area. We have stuff that other schools don't have."
By adding technology, like computer labs and teaching aids like classroom overhead camera's and sound systems the school has become a school of choice for 16% of the students. That means more students in their classrooms and more per pupil funding coming from the state. "Our enrollment has increased and for us when the cuts have been made the last couple of years, the numbers of students that have enrolled as new students have kind of kept that away. And we have been able to keep the same service same stuff for our students and we haven't had to cut, and it's been great for us because we see how it's paying off," explains Kulawiak.
And what else is paying off? Buckley administration says they watch every dime coming in and started to awhile ago. They used mileage money for a roofing project and installed motion sensing lights in hallways and classrooms which over time have paid for themselves in savings. Kulawiak says "so efficiency wise our electrical and our heating, when the prices have been skyrocketing for those, we have actually been able to decrease our expenditures over the past two years."
Kulawiak also says that the PTO is another great example of community support. This year the PTO bought some classroom supplies like hand sanitizer so that it wouldn't come out of the school's budget or teacher's pocket. They have also helped to cover some of the expenses of field trips, freeing up that money to be spent on classroom activities.
Buckley leaders also say they are stressing preparing their students for whatever is next. Almost 20% of upperclassmen at the school are dual enrolled. They take some classes at Buckley and others through college programs or technical training.
The bottom line is its a small school that has found big ways to stretch its dollars. It's a small town that's enjoying a pretty big award.
Kulawiak says while the award is nice, the never lose sight of the real reason the staff here is working hard, "the number one thing on our staff's mind is trying to help educate our student and improve students achievement."
So what do you think about this? How can your school do more with less? Should they be asked too? Do you have a success story or suggestion to share with everyone? Please leave a comment below.
