SJPS Superintendent Ken Ladouceur and Board of Education
I write to inform you of a crisis that is facing St Johns Public Schools. I realize that we are not alone, and that this crisis is affecting schools everywhere in Michigan, but I would be remiss as your Superintendent of Schools if I did not provide you with this information.
I understand that Michigan struggles with its State budget and has for some time. Cutbacks have been felt in many sectors of our society as well as K – 12 education, but for the first time St Johns Public Schools will be impacted heavily in the classroom.
Each Michigan school district is required to make annual contributions into the state retirement system. The size of these payments has steadily increased each year, and St. Johns Public Schools has been able to absorb those increases without directly impacting students. However St Johns Public Schools retirement contribution rate is scheduled to increase from 20.66% to 24.46% in 2011-2012 and then to increase again to 27.37% the following year.
Next year’s increase alone accounts for an additional reduction of $239 per student. Combined with Governor Snyder’s proposed $470 per student foundation reduction, this equals a total cut of $709 per student. For 2011-2012 this equates to a budget shortfall of about $2,400,000 to St Johns Public Schools or about 10% of our annual budget.
We have faced a number of funding decreases and cost escalations in the past. Until now our staff has been able to keep the impact of education cuts away from the children. Now, unfortunately, these cuts will directly impact programs and children’s education.
As we work through the possibilities I believe that we may lay off as many as 22 teaching staff, increasing class size from 1st through 12th grade, as well as significantly cut student transportation. Teachers are telling me that they anticipate having classes larger than 35 students next year.
To minimize impacts on our students we are considering every aspect of our operations including the elimination of all high school bussing as well as all in town bussing. These cuts are drastic measures.
If there is anywhere else to cut I assure you that your Board of Education will go there first. Other considerations that will be presented to the Board of Education include athletics, music, secretaries, and even further classroom support staff.
School closure is also being evaluated although the board has said that it is not interested in closing another school at this time.
SJPS has cut $3.1M from its General Fund over the past 10 years. These cuts included the Director of Technology, Middle School principal, transportation coordinator, an elementary principal, as well as custodians, counselors, teachers and teaching assistants. There simply is nothing else left to cut.
St Johns Public Schools has carefully accumulated a $2.9M General Fund balance over the years. If this money were used to simply stave off the impact of these cuts for one year, it would potentially bankrupt the school district. This fund balance will have to be spent down significantly as part of mitigating the current budget cutting process. The future of St Johns Public Schools could be in jeopardy.
I have heard it said that if our teachers would contribute only 10% towards their benefits, then this financial crisis would take care of itself. Currently all of our staff contribute 23% towards their benefits, and this crisis remains very real for SJPS.
Again, this is a very serious situation. I have included the names and addresses of your State legislators. They are also working hard on their budget proposals so things can change regarding school funding.
I ask that you contact your legislator and voice your opinion on this matter. I assure you that we will continue to seek cost reductions outside of the classroom and we will evaluate every possible revenue source.
The St Johns Public Schools Board of Education and staff are determined to continue the tradition of providing the highest quality education in spite of the circumstances.
If you have any questions please contact me at ladouceurk@sjredwings.org or 989-227-4001.
Sincerely,
Ken Ladouceur PhD
Superintendent
Michigan Senate
Judy K. Emmons (33RD District)
1005 Farnum Building
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
(517) 373-3760
House Of Representatives
Paul Opsommer (93RD District)
N-1197 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-1778
Board Of Education
William Tennant, Board President
(989)224-8159
tennantw@sjredwings.org
Scott Marier, Board Vice President
(989) 224-2910
mariers@sjredwings.org
Rick Drabek, Board Treasurer
(989) 224-1085
drabekr@sjredwings.org
Dr. Nicholas Koenigsknecht, Board Secretary
(989)224-1872
koenigsknechtn@sjredwings.org
Phillip Schrantz ,Board Trustee
(989)224-4808
schrantzp@sjredwings.org
Alan Nelson, Board Trustee
(989) 224-9295
nelsona@sjredwings.org
Rhonda Dedyne, Board Trustee
(989) 224-9579
dedyner@sjredwings.org