KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Despite the claims from lawmakers that the budget they just sent to the governor includes a record amount of money for Public Schools, Kalamazoo School officials say the increases don’t even cover inflation.
Finance Director Gary Start says the addition to their per-pupil funding will help, but really doesn’t give them anything extra to work with.
He says they will be relying on grants to make improvements to the staff and a voter approved bond issue to make improvement to the schools and their technology. He presented their proposed budget for the next school year at last night’s meeting.
The Budget calls for more spending on school security and adds mental health and support personnel to help students who need additional attention. Board President Patti Sholler Barber says that’s important, to support teachers and to head off problems before they occur.
The board will mull over the $150-million dollar spending plan over the next two weeks, propose amendments and take a final vote on the plan at their next meeting.
