Saline MI
6-11-2020 2:52am

Saline School Board Passes Resolution Asking Congress for Funding Help

Hoping to avert painful budget cuts as a result of the economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown, the Saline Board of Education voted 6-1 to pass a resolution asking the United States Congress to help fund Michigan's schools.

The resolution boilerplate was provided to the district by the Michigan Association of School Boards, of which the Saline board is a member. The issue was placed on the agenda by Superintendent Scot Graden at the request of Trustees Michael McVey and Susan Estep.

The district's operations are largely funded by the state on a per-pupil basis. The economic impact of the COVID-19 lockdown has created a budget crisis for the State of Michigan. School board trustees talked about scenarios where the district could lose $250 to $650 per pupil - which would cost the district $1.3 to $3.4 million. In addition, the district will face increasing costs. Superintendent Graden estimated that even at the low-end figure of $250 per student, the district was looking at a $2 million shortfall.

Graden told the board the MASB was asking all of the state's school boards to consider reviewing and passing the resolution.

Trustee Estep the resolution was also supported by the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators and several education associations.

"We are policymakers. I feel like this is nonpartisan," Estep said.

Michael McVey said the main argument right now is flexibility.

"Right now, there's money that's in the state from the federal government. Right now the money can only be spent on COVID-19 related expenditures, so we're asking for some flexibility," McVey said. "I don't see it as a partisan issue. I just think it's an important issue at this time."

Passing resolutions isn't uncommon for many districts, but it is rare in Saline. Trustee Tim Austin, the lone no vote, said he was a little shocked to see the resolution on the agenda.

"We don't normally do resolutions. We're not a board that operates with resolutions," Austin said.

Trustee Valenti agreed with Austin's point, but ultimately decided to support the resolution given the unique set of circumstances.

Trustee Estep said she'd like to see the board have a discussion about how it uses resolutions.

Trustee McVey said issue about resolutions is one that should be spelled out in the board's policies and procedures.

Vice-President Paul Hynek and Trustee Jennifer Steben said they recalled the board deciding to handle resolutions on a case-by-case basis. Both supported the resolution.

"A key point on being on the Board of Education is advocacy," Steben said. 

President Heidi Pfannes agreed.

"No matter what happens, it's very important for us to advocate," Pfannes said. "That is our role as board members to advocate on behalf of the district."

Below is the text of the resolution and video of the discussion.

The resolution is below:
Saline Area Schools Board of Education Resolution No. 2020-1 WHEREAS, in March 2020, the coronavirus disease that causes COVID-19 first appeared in Michigan, causing the Governor to declare a state of emergency under her powers in the Michigan Constitution; and

WHEREAS, in response to this emergency, after Michigan school districts were required to cancel in-person learning, school districts have risen to the challenge by being innovative and focused on their unique needs, provided distance learning for all Michigan students; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has created tremendous uncertainty on how to provide quality education while maintaining safe conditions for both staff and students, causing districts to face new expenses and challenges for the upcoming school year, including providing personal protective equipment; creating new health screening procedures; increased cleaning costs; reorganization of learning spaces to accommodate social distancing; and expanded access to school-based mental health services; and

WHEREAS, both the state and national economies have suffered greatly as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has dramatically reduced state and local revenue placing enormous pressure on the state budget, including the School Aid Fund, which is predicted to be more than $1 billion below previous estimates for the next two years; and

WHEREAS, due to falling revenues, local school districts face severe budget shortfalls for the current fiscal year, including a potential proration cut of at least $650 per student, and similar budget problems for the upcoming year, making it difficult to provide high-quality education, access to technology, and safety for both students and staff;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Saline Area Schools supports the passage of legislation by the U.S. Congress appropriating needed funds to be distributed to states and local districts with maximum flexibility to fill budget gaps during this state of emergency; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Saline Area Schools urges congressional action to provide additional funding for the highly successful E-Rate Program, which helps schools ensure connectivity for online learning; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted to our Governor, and to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate representing the families in our District. ADOPTED by the Board of Education of the Saline Area School District, Washtenaw County, Michigan, at the regular open public meeting thereof, held this 9th day of June 2020.

 

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