Leader Publications

By NORMA LERNER
Edwardsburg Argus

EDWARDSBURG – Michigan legislators approved a $165 per student cut in state aid last Thursday, which is actually less than expected by school officials who were looking at cuts up to $240 per student.

Friday morning, Edwardsburg Public Schools’ Superintendent Sherman Ostrander reacted to the legislative cut by saying if the cut was based on $240 per student, which was projected, there would have been a $648,000 loss of revenue to the school, but at $165 per student, the loss is calculated at $445,000.

“This is a significant cut, but better than what it could have been,” he said. “Because of the economic climate, it affects all of us.”

Ostrander said everyone will be impacted in local government. He is not sure how this will impact the federal funds, as to many federal dollars legislators used to bring it down to $165. If those funds are exhausted, it could be a concern next year, but added, “We need to take care of this year.”

The board will hold a work session to look at where money will come from to make up the deficit, whether the fund equity or in staff reductions.

The state aid before the reduction was based on $7,316 per student.