KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM/FM) — Kalamazoo Public Schools trustees have approved the dsitrict’s budget for the next school year.
They are projecting an increase in funding and enrollment, and they also did something else that did not used to happen before “the Promise.” They approved contracts with all of the labor unions that represent their various employee groups, including teachers.
The schools current fiscal year ends at midnight Friday night.
The district had to deal with a punitive amendment included in the state school budget that deducts from their state payments any money they spent suing the state. This past year, the district sued the state, challenging the authority of the School Reform Office to close schools. Apparently, some lawmakers did not appreciate it.
It was an amendment that prompted Sen. Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage, to vote against the budget.
Trustee Carol McGlinn questioned the constitutionality of the amendment.
As for the cash penalty, they will need some clarification on the measure from Lansing before they can decide how to handle it. The case is still pending.
