Mid-June Update

The Board typically meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month (with a few exceptions), so no meeting this week. That doesn't mean GLPS isn't hard at work.

The Board of Education has a number of responsibilities: Approving curricula and courses, agreeing to contracts with employee unions, employing a Superintendent (like the fantastic Dr. Bill Barnes), and setting policy. But one responsibility always looms large this time of year: Adopting a budget for the $80 million+ operation that is GLPS.

Michigan public school districts have to approve their annual budgets by July 1. The State of Michigan has to approve the K-12 education budget by... well, whenever, I guess. As a result, we have to take educated guesses about what to expect when we adopt a budget. Fortunately, GLPS has outstanding Central Office leadership that sets responsible budgets. When we knew things were going to be uncertain this year, we saved up. We try to keep enough in our fund balance (savings) so we can weather storms. At the same time, saving too much means we're not putting money in classrooms where it belongs.

We do have a facilities management plan to make sure we're maintaining things properly. But the general fund and sinking fund can't finance major capital projects like building a new Wacousta or Dave and Betty Morris Center, secure entrances at every building, or new elementary school gyms. For those, we need bond funding like our 2018 bond that is now coming to a close. This community has proven that it values public education by supporting bond proposals. We didn't build anything fancy, and we made due as needed as prices skyrocketed. All of this, while maintaining some of the lowest millages in mid-Michigan--sometimes less than half of neighboring districts.

As we head into budget season, we know that being a solid fiscal steward is non-negotiable. The community has trusted us, and we want to continue to earn that trust. Thank you for supporting public schools--especially GLPS.