$8M in Funding Cuts: Call to Action from Super. Whiston

From: Brian Whiston, Superintendent

Please call the Governor's Office and "forward" this email to Dearborn Public School  supporters....

The district received disconcerting news of Governor Granholm's 2010 executive budget recommendations. The Governor's proposal included the following cuts for the Dearborn Public Schools:

1.      $59 per Pupil Cut = $1,064,411

2.      20j Cut = $616,928

3.      Bilingual (Sec 41) = $381,000

4.      At Risk 31a = $5,875,000

Total Cuts for the Dearborn Schools = $7,937,339

We had projected a $1.8M cut when we developed our $11M
budget shortfall.  With the Governor's proposal we would
have to cut $17M or an additional $6M.  In this tough
economy we surely understand the need for cuts in funding,
as long as they happen across all districts equally.  In
essence we are the only district that will receive a double
whammy, since we are the only district that is being cut
both the 20j and 31a funds.  With the present
recommendations we will endure much more than most other
districts in the State of Michigan.  In addition, Dearborn
Public Schools is one of several districts in the state that
is considered a "Donor District."  This means that
more local tax dollars are sent to Lansing to fund public
education across the state than the district receives from
the state.  Currently, taxpayers in Dearborn send $14
million more dollars to Lansing than the district gets back.

Please call Governor Granholm's office at (517)
373-3400 and ask her to treat all districts the same.  If
cuts need to be made then all districts across the state
should be cut the same per-pupil amount.  Cutting more funds
from some districts and less from others is not equitable
and pits school district against school district.  Our own
State of Michigan House and Senate Representatives
understand the devastating impact these cuts will have on
Dearborn.  At this time, sharing your concerns directly with
the Governor will have the most impact to prevent these
targeted cuts from happening.

In your own words let the Governor know how devastating her
recommendations will be to our district.  Attached you will
find talking points for you and your constituency groups to
use for background information.

Thank you,
Brian Whiston, Dearborn Public Schools Superintendent