PORTAGE, MI -- Portage school officials are considering cutting funding for middle school athletics among other program cuts to reduce spending in next year’s budget due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Salary reductions for administration and teachers are also part of the proposed budget cuts.
The proposals were discussed during a virtual Portage Public Schools Board of Education meeting Monday, June 22.
The district plans to cut about $8 million from the 2020-21 budget over last year’s budget because of the coronavirus pandemic, said Paula Johnson, director of finance.
Related: Portage releases ‘Return to Learn’ plan for school in the fall
Portage, like other schools across Michigan, was forced to close its doors in March to slow the spread of COVID-19 and provide education remotely to students.
Michigan’s School Aid Fund’s two largest sources of revenue -- sales and income taxes -- plummeted due to the pandemic, resulting in a major budget hole. School districts are now bracing for significant cuts in their per-pupil funding from the state.
“In my 25 years as a superintendent, this is by far the most difficult budgeting cycle that I’ve ever been through,” Superintendent Mark Bielang said. “Never have there been this many unknowns.”
Board member Rusty Rathburn said he is concerned about cuts to middle school athletics. Sports can keep students engaged and focused on keeping their grades high, he said. Student support such as mentoring often happen in after-school activities like sports or drama, Rathburn said.
“A lot of that happens after 3 p.m.,” he said.
The district is also preparing to lose more than $5 million this fiscal year if the state of Michigan cuts the remaining revenue of per pupil foundation allowance. The district will use its fund balance to make up the difference for the 2019-20 fiscal year, Bielang said at a previous board meeting.
Included in the proposed cuts that Bielang called “gut-wrenching” for next year are the following:
• A 7% reduction in administration costs through compensation reductions and assignment changes including a freeze on raises and a reduction in other benefits
• A 7% reduction in teacher staffing costs. The specifics of this will be negotiated with the Portage Education Association.
• Elimination of funding for middle school athletics
• Elimination of book purchasing for the media centers
• Changes to some early childhood programs
• A reduction in the number of paraprofessionals
• A reduction in planned capital outlay
• Reductions in purchased services and subscriptions
• Reduction in curriculum work expenses
• Reduction in new curriculum purchases
The board will hold a virtual public hearing for the 2020-21 budget at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 29.
Johnson said the salaries for the teacher union members make up about 60% of the district’s expenses, but the proposed cuts only equate to half of the necessary cuts to balance the budget. This was done to try and “minimize the impact on the classroom,” Johnson said.
Board member Joanne Willson said she was concerned about the salary cuts and reduction in paraprofessionals.
“We’re talking about our most fragile students that need support,” she said of the students helped by paraprofessionals.
Kalamazoo Public Schools proposed a similar cut in programming and staff to balance the 2020-21 budget. A proposed budget calls for $7.4 million in cuts, including 10 high school staff positions and the Middle School Alternative Learning and Lift Up Through Literacy programs.
The State Senate Fiscal Agency’s economic outlook and budget review released May 14 showed a $1.2 billion deficit in school aid funding for the 2019-20 school year along with a $1.1 billion decrease in School Aid Fund revenue anticipated for 2020-21.
“I wish we didn’t have to make any of these cuts,” Bielang said.
Both districts have approved resolutions calling for federal action to preserve education funding for districts across Michigan.
There is “tremendous uncertainty” amid the pandemic and districts face new expenses and challenges for the upcoming year including providing personal protective equipment, creating new health screening procedures, increased cleaning costs, reorganization of learning spaces to accommodate social distancing and expanded access to school-based mental health services, the recommendation approved by Portage states.
Possible budget cuts to the district make providing high-quality education, access to technology and safety for students and staff more difficult, the district said.
With approval of the resolution, the board voiced its support for proposed legislation by Congress appropriating additional funds for states and local districts to fill budget gaps during the state of emergency.
Also on MLive:
Kalamazoo school district proposes $7.4M in cuts, including staffing, programming
Portage Public Schools faces possible $5.8M deficit amid pandemic
Federal funding ‘only real hope’ for Kalamazoo, school board says in call for financial help
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