REED CITY — On April 17, the Reed City Area Public School
District approved a smattering of budget cuts through layoffs, transportation
cuts and employee buyouts in an effort to balance its fiscal 2007 budget,
according to the Cadillac News. The district had entertained proposals to
privatize food and custodial services, but those options now appear to be off
the table.
Instead, the district will erase its expected $1.6 million
deficit by offering severance packages to 11 educators who are willing to leave
their jobs. The News reported this will save the district $890,000. The board
also eliminated another 11.5 jobs involving teaching assistants, as well as
adult alternative education program, high school library, accounts receivable,
custodial and secretary positions.
The school board is implementing these cuts while also
eliminating two bus routes, instituting a fee for high school and middle school
sports programs, and mandating 10 percent cost cutting at each school site in
the district.
