Willow Run faces continued deficit

By Andrew Cipolla
Oct. 1, 2009    ·    11:14 p.m.

Willow Run Schools will be faced with a mounting budget deficit next year, according to a projection by the director for finance and operations, that could lead to the possibility of more school closures.

The Board of Education made it clear at Thursday's meeting, everything will be done to prevent closures and maintain the district.

“Despite the fact we had to close a school...we've got to do better then that,” said Trustee Clifford Smith. Kettering Elementary was closed just last year due to budget issues. “We are not going to disassemble our district.”

Due to an enrollment drop of 139 students, Willow Run is looking at a deficit of $1.376 Million. The district could lose an additional $375,642 if the State of Michigan passes a budget cut of $218 per student. Director for Finance and Operations, David Houle said the board and the district will have to make some tough decision in the coming year.

“Who knows what will happen...the state has made many budget changes,” Houle said expressing the uncertainty of the situation.

Last year the board passed a deficit elimination plan in which enrollment thresholds were set. According to the plan, if not met the district would close another school.

“These numbers; it's hard to grasp,” Sheri Washington, board president said. “There are some interesting decisions and choices we have to make.”

She said the board will look into other options, saving school closures as a last resort.

“When you close a school you lose more students then you save,” said Dorothy Stewart, board tresurer. “We will still cut our budget wherever we can.”

School closures, she added, give a bad impression to the students. According to Joseph Jordan a junior at Willow Run High School, some students are leaving due to a fear their school will close.

“The students are leaving to go to different schools,” Jordan said during citizen comments. “I hear rumors all the time. I thought [Willow Run High School] was going to close this year. I'm supposed to graduate next year, what school am I gonna graduate from.”

Washington, while speaking to the board, said, “We had a task force where we considered options. We need those strategies, we need to have those options on the table, in front of the finance committee. We need to crank out a plan where we can all be held accountable to it so we can relieve this deficit.”

In order to overcome these issues the board agreed enrollment is the key. Smith explained the deficit could have been offset by 2,000 students, causing the district to break even. In an effort to increase enrollment, according to the Strategic Plan, the district has begun a letter campaign and has been contacting the families of students who left the district to gather information.

“What ever changes or cuts we come up with, we still have to ask a question or make sure we have the academics necessary to sustain education,” Washington said. “Our first inclination is to cut, that's our first reaction, but I am challenging you that what can we come up with that is win, win."

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