Dearborn Public Schools Pass Budget, Cut 7 Teachers for 2013 School Year

The Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the school district's budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year at its meeting on Monday.

The board voted 6-0, with Trustee Mary Lane absent, to approve a general fund budget of $170.7 million. That amount is down roughly $4.7 million from fiscal year 2012-2013.

In addition, the board approved a budget of $2.1 million for the Athletic Department, that includes a pay-to-participate fee for students involved in sports and other extracurricular activities.

The district's Food Service fund is down approximately $268,635, and will operate at $8 million for the year. The Adult Education fund will receive $2.1 million, down from $2.23 million in fiscal year 2012-2013.

The board also approved a resolution to lay off seven teachers, including:

• Rakad Arraf, bilingual teacher at Edsel Ford High School
• Amira Fadlallah, bilingual teacher at Fordson High School
• Bashayer Farage, math/science teacher at Dearborn High School
• Wendy Perry, life management teacher at Fordson High School
• Georgene Stergalas, business teacher at Dearborn High
• Joshua Thelen, industrial arts teacher at Stout Middle School.
• Yanyu Ward, foreign language teacher at Edsel Ford and Dearborn High.

"While it is always difficult when we have to lay off teachers, due to budget constraints and due to the reappointment of teachers returning from leaves of absence, the decision to lay off seven faculty members is in accordance with the agreement with our teachers union," trustee James Schoolmaster said.