KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – For the first time, Kalamazoo Public Schools will be posting a presentation on their proposed budget on their website before they approve it.
For a look at the full proposed budget you will still have to make an appointment and view it at district headquarters, but at least this year, members of the public who want to participate in their public hearing later this month will have something they can review first.
Finance director Laura Kayser gave the verbal presentation to trustees at last night’s meeting, complete with graphics.
She says this year, state lawmakers have all tentatively agreed on what schools should get before the school’s July 1st deadline for finalizing a budget proposal.
“The governor’s, Senate and Houses’ budget proposals all included a 2.5% increase in the per pupil foundation rate. This is very unusual that all three proposals were the same,” Kayser says. “As you can see, although we’re projecting an increase in foundation rate of $250, or 2.5% the foundation rate growth is still significantly below the rate of inflation.”
While national and state enrollment numbers have been declining along with the birthrate since the pandemic, Kayser says KPS has been able to remain stable for the last couple of years.
“Assuming a relatively flat change in enrollment for next year, which includes a modest five student increase from the fall of 2025 to the fall of 2026, based on cohort survival.”
The district headcount determines how much state funding they receive.
Kayser says they plan to add 7-1/2 new full-time positions. Most of them will provide support services for at-risk students. They also plan to hire a computer security specialist to protect their information technology systems and services.
They will hold the public hearing on the $216 million budget proposal at their June 25th meeting with a vote of the board to follow.
The presentation should be posted in a day or two.
Comments