School Board in Brief: Funding Cuts Nearing, Tech Bond Update and More

State of the Budget

will have to make "painful reductions" to offset state funding cuts that lawmakers are planning for this year, district Business Services Director Gary Jackson told the school board at a meeting Monday evening. Last Thursday, the for students in Michigan. However, the bill is not finalized: The differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill must be settled before a final vote.

Jackson said the House bill would cut $792,360 from the school district; the Senate bill would cut $632,400, and Gov. Rick Snyder's proposal would cut $874,200.

“A tsunami is coming to public education," Jackson said. "I’m really disappointed because I don’t believe that we are being represented in terms of what the people want.”

The Clawson school board will approve next year’s budget at its first meeting in June.

Technology Bond Update

The Clawson school board passed a resolution Monday to get the bonds priced for the 1.3-mill technology bond . The district will then be able to levy the millage for a standard tax collection. Technology Director Marcus Isabell said the district plans to purchase new computers for the schools this summer. 

"We are very grateful that it did pass," Superintendent Cheryl Rogers said. "We need to be transparent in what we are doing, and we need to be accountable for how we spend this money.”

News You Can Use

• The school board approved a resolution to recognize May as Teacher Appreciation Month.
• The graduation will be held June 5 in the high school gymnasium.
• Clawson schools will be honored next week by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's "Counting Your Steps" program.
• Principal Virginia Mantela is retiring this year. She will be honored, along with the other Clawson school retirees, in June.