District to hold three Public Budget Forums to inform stakeholders of possible budget reductions for the 2010-2011 school year

As you know, school districts in Michigan, including Farmington Public Schools, are all in a funding crisis. As of December 14, 2009, Farmington Public Schools’ projected revenue shortfall for the 2010-2011 school year is approximately $18 million with no further loss in funding. Further reductions in revenues could increase the shortfall to much more. School districts are legally obligated to submit balanced budgets on June 30th of each year without knowing the funding that they will receive from the State. The State has until October 1st of each year to submit their balanced budgets which includes funding for public education. Because of this structure, we are not able to calculate exactly the projected shortfall.

In order to share as much information as possible as it pertains to the current educational funding crisis in the State and how it is affecting Farmington Public Schools, the District will be hosting three Budget Public Forums. The three Forums will be identical so parents, staff and community members will be able to choose which Forum time best meets their scheduling needs.

The Forums will address possible budget reductions for the 2010 – 2011 school year. In response to information shared at the Forums, attendees will be asked to submit their questions and rate their preferences using an electronic survey. For those unable to attend one of the Forums, all of the information will be posted on the District’s web site along with the link to the electronic survey. All of the input and questions will be compiled and shared with the Board of Education.

Superintendent Sue Zurvalec will open each Budget Forum with an overall school funding presentation and then attendees will be able to choose from a variety of information sessions such as Athletics, Co-Curricular and Community Education; Staffing Information; Operations and elementary and secondary programs.

The Forum dates are:
Thursday, January 14
7 p.m.
Maxfield Training Center, 33000 Thomas Street, Farmington

Thursday, January 21
7 p.m.
Maxfield Training Center, 33000 Thomas Street, Farmington

Tuesday, January 26
11 a.m.
Maxfield Training Center, 33000 Thomas Street, Farmington

The Board of Education will be holding a special Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m. for District administration to present its Budget Reduction Plan for the 2010-2011 school year. The location for this will be the North Farmington High School auditorium, 32900 W 13 Mile Rd. It is important to note that no Board action will be taken at this meeting.

At its regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 2, the Board is expected to take action to authorize administration to begin implementation of the reduction plan to conform with contractual notice requirements of staff whose positions may be eliminated for the 2010-2011 school year. The location for this meeting is also yet to be determined. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.

"No decisions have been made on any reductions; this is why we have a process in place for input. The Board of Education will not be making any decisions on reductions without considering feedback information," stated Superintendent Sue Zurvalec.  "Unfortunately, because of the size of the anticipated deficit, it is unavoidable that reductions will result in staff layoffs and program reductions."