At SAD 53 budget hearing, only one parent

PITTSFIELD – It could be satisfaction with the learning environment; it could be the whopping 10.95 percent decrease in local taxation; it could be a “wait and see” attitude about consolidation plans.

Whatever the reason, SAD 53 directors have no idea why just one parent showed up at Thursday night’s public hearing on the district’s $10.7 million budget.

“We just hope it is satisfaction,” Chairman Robert Downs said.

Still, the turnout didn’t surprise board members and administrators who patiently waited.

Melissa Flewelling came to the hearing just to clarify some of the information in the warrant articles for the June 12 vote.

“The language is very confusing,” acknowledged Superintendent Michael Gallagher, but he said the wording of the articles is dictated by state law.

At recent budget discussions, the board noted that although certain expenses have increased – such as mandated testing costs, trash removal, and insurance – enrollment continues to decline. This enabled the district to cut a kindergarten-first grade teacher, a grade two teacher, a special education teacher, and two teachers in seventh and eighth grades.

Enrollment in SAD 53 continues to decline. Gallagher said 27 fewer kindergartners than expected enrolled for this fall’s classes.

None of the staffing changes will affect class sizes, Gallagher said.

The proposed budget is $10,784,256, which represents a $430,000 expenditure increase over last year. But key to the decrease in taxation is a drop from $1.1 million in additional local option funds to $648,971, and a doubling of funds from undesignated balance that will be used to lower taxes.

Burnham will see a 10.7 percent decrease in assessment; Detroit’s assessment will drop by 4.39 percent; and Pittsfield’s will go down by 12.23 percent. Local assessments overall will go down by $394,711.

Voting on the budget will be during the June 12 referendum.