Schools

Ferndale Public Schools to Lay Off Teachers, Secretaries, Others

The Board of Education approved the 2013-2014 district budget Thursday at the Harding Administration Building.

The 2013-2014 Ferndale Public Schools budget approved Thursday puts the district in the black, barely, but only by laying off teachers, secretaries and others.

A budget shortfall created when the district tapped its fund balance in January to avoid mid-year layoffs, unexpected enrollment shortfalls, and decreased federal and local funding prompted the cuts, according to the budget report prepared by FPS Executive Director of Finance Maureen Adams.

A $229,000 quarterly water bill for the high school, which usually spends between $60,000 and $80,000 for a full year, also was a factor in the 2013-2014 budget, according to ferndale115.com.

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

To cope with the district's fiscal challenges, the 2013-2014 budget calls for eliminating 18 positions – including two elementary teachers, 1.5 Spanish positions, six secondary teachers and five secretarial positions – for a savings of approximately $1.3 million. Laying off one contracted bookkeeper and three contracted part-time administrators will save an additional $107,508.

"We're hoping that when enrollments (for the 2013-2014 academic year) start being confirmed, we will be able to put some elementary teachers and secretaries back into the budget," Board of Education Vice President Karen Twomey said Friday. 

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

She added layoff notices won't go out until late July after the deadline for employees to take advantage of retirement incentives has passed, which also could save some jobs.

Board of Education President Jim O'Donnell said Friday the budget leaves untouched core programs and after-school activities, which was the best-case scenario considering the district's resources. 

However, he warned Ferndale Public Schools will not be able to make further cuts in the future without affecting students.

The district will eke out a small surplus in 2013-2014 by balancing its revenue with the layoffs and other cost-saving measures.

"The 2013-2014 budget represents a revenue increase of $762,984 balanced by expenditure decreases of $1,187,948 projecting a modest fiscal year-end surplus of $30,357 and a fund balance of $2,787,002," according to Adams' budget report.

But, she warned the district cannot cut its way to a sustainable budget.

"Any loss of additional revenue or continuing decline in enrollment will adversely impact our ability to provide full services going forward," she wrote. "Although drastic, should such scenarios occur, it would be necessary for the district to consider expense reductions that could include employee wage concessions, outsourcing or elimination of transportation services, outsourcing of custodial services and other such unacceptable measures that many area districts have already been forced to consider."


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