State Budget Proposal Gives Dearborn Lawmakers, Educators Pause

Leaders at the Dearborn Public Schools District listened with interest Thursday when Gov. Rick Snyder outlined his proposed state budget in Lansing.

The budget presented calls for a 4 percent cut in per pupil foundation allowances–or about $300 per student, which would mean a financial hit in excess of $5 million for the cash-strapped district of more than 18,000 students. This is in addition to a $170 per-student cut that the district is already coping with.

David Mustonen, the district’s spokesman, said the district is hardly happy about the budget bombshell, but will be prepared to deal with whatever comes down the pike.

“Of course I don’t think we’re happy about any funding cuts," he said, "but we’re prepared to accept the realities of the cuts."

Mustonen added that the cuts would further complicate additional pension costs of about $8 million.

Chris Sipperley, the president of the Dearborn Federation of Teachers, said the cuts come at a time when public schools could not be more important.

“I’m sick (about the cuts),” she said. “I just don’t know how (lawmakers) expect the schools to be successful and continue educating children when they keep making cuts.”

Per pupil funding, along with property tax dollars, are the biggest source of revenue for Michigan public schools.

Dearborn's K-14 district

Under Snyder's proposal, community colleges would take a reduction, but the budget does contain $83 million for community colleges that hold tuition increases at reasonable levels. This could present a unique gain for Dearborn Schools, as it is one of the last K-14 districts in Michigan.

The Dearborn School Board serves two purposes: it oversees and steers all fiscal and instructional matters for the public schools and works with the administration of that entity, while doing the same thing, with an entirely separate administration, at .

Though the entities have separate budgets as well, there are a few common programs, and little intermingling–which means that although HFCC could stand to gain some funding, Dearborn's K-12 schools will experience the same difficulties as other districts, said Mustonen.

A spokesman for Henry Ford Community College did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

The budget process will likely play out during the next two months, and requires approval from the state legislature. The cuts could look very different by the time that approval occurs.

Given the scope of the budget and the nature of the cuts, opposition is likely, said State Rep. George T. Darany (D-Dearborn), in a statement.

“Changes must be made to turn our state around," he said, "and I'm ready to work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions that make sense."

“However, as a longtime supporter of Dearborn schools, I oppose the deep funding cuts that the governor has proposed,” Darany added. “Our children must have a high-quality education to succeed in the global economy, and we have to invest in them to create the talented workers our state needs to attract top-notch job providers. As a member of the House Education Committee, I will fight to make sure Dearborn schools get the resources they need.”    

Snyder’s budget is designed to eliminate a $1.4 million deficit. In addition to the schools provisions, Snyder’s budget included taxing public and private pension income, eliminating the Michigan Business Tax and replacing it with a 6 percent tax, eliminating tax breaks for filmmakers and other businesses, and eliminating tax breaks aimed at both the rich and the poor.

“This is our opportunity to say let’s stop living in the past, and let’s move into the future,” Snyder said during his presentation.

The budget will take effect at the start of the state's fiscal year, which is Oct. 1.