KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Board members with Kalamazoo Public Schools have unanimously approved the district’s $147 million budget.
It’s a spending plan that will allow the district, for the first time in three years, to fund new programs. They plan to use it to boost graduation rates and improve reading and math scores. But they would have even more money for math and reading tutors if they didn’t have to borrow $16 million to keep the doors open until the state’s pays what they owe.
Asst. Supt. for Finance Gary Start said, instead of funding education, they are paying money to lenders. Last year, it cost them $145,000 in interest.
Superintendent Michael Rice said it helps the state with their cash flow, but at the expense of the schools.
