MAPS Preliminary Budget

Michigan school districts will be behind the 8–ball this spring as they work out their budgets for next fall.

The Marquette Area Public Schools have come out with their preliminary budget.

It includes a more than $2.3 million spending cut.

That’s the equivalent of 23 full–time teachers through attrition, hours reductions and maybe even layoffs.

Other staff would also be affected, and the cuts may not stop there.

MAPS board president Tony Retaskie says with the foundation allowance cut that all Michigan districts will have, the final total could easily be $2.9 million — more than 10% of the district’s overall budget from this school year.

Some of the money represents federal stimulus dollars that will run out this summer.

6 people have applied for the superintendent job, and the district is expecting to hear from at least 2 more.

Interim superintendent Debbie Veiht has expressed interest in the post.

No word, though, on whether one of those applications is from her.