Schools

Clawson Might Have to Cut 36 Teachers, School Board Warned

Members discuss budget shortfalls for upcoming year while teachers and students demonstrate Smart Board technology considered under bond proposal at Monday meeting.

At least 36 teachers could be laid off in Clawson because of Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed budget plan to cut per-pupil funding combined with a loss in federal funding, Business Services Director Gary Jackson told the Clawson School Board at its Monday night meeting.

The district projects it will lose nearly $2 million in revenue next school year with about $1.2 million in added expenses, such as retirement and insurance cost increases, meaning the district will have to come up with about $3.2 million to stay afloat next year, Jackson said. He said the district could consider taking out loans to make up for the $3.2 million deficit.

Jackson said the district's projected fund balance for next year, which includes money outside of the district's budget often used for "rainy day" expenses such as building maintenance, is running at a loss of about $1.3 million.

Find out what's happening in Clawsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Right now it’s not looking too good for next year if the governor’s proposal goes through," Jackson said, before the school board and a small audience at the meeting. "We’re gonna have to make some sacrifices. Cuts from personnel, that’s where the money is.”

Teachers demonstrate technology

The Clawson School Board invited teachers and students to present Smart Board technology at its meeting Monday evening. Smart Boards – interative whiteboards that act as large touch screens – are among several items the district hopes to purchase if voters pass a in the May 3 election.

Find out what's happening in Clawsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Teachers Matt Provost, Jared Kowalski, and Carol Arslanian demonstrated how Smart Boards engage students and allow teachers to display interactive learning activities in front of the class. Presentations included a visual academic Jeopardy-type game, solving math problems with computer programs and even word games in which students can fill in blanks by moving letters across the screen.

The school board plans to host town hall meetings to educate the public on the technology proposal on the following dates:

  • March 28 at
  • March 31 in the
  • April 12 at
  • April 20 at

All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. in the schools' media centers.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here