KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo Public School’s budget could see funding cut by 10 to 25% this coming school year.
During a virtual meeting Thursday evening KPS Interim Superintendent Gary Start updated school trustees on the latest outlook on state funding cuts due to the loss of state tax revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.
Start says the 25% cut in funding could amount to a loss of about $27-million dollars.
This could result in possible layoffs and cuts to student programs, wages, and other budget items and a loss of $840 to $2,000 dollars per student, the worst state cuts Start says he has ever seen.
The school board will only have the next month and a half to decide where to make cuts because their budget for the next school year is due in Lansing on July 1st.
But there could be some relief from Washington if Congress approves a second stimulus package that sends funding their way. Start is urging KPS parents to reach out to Congress to ask for help.
They may know more after the State Revenue Estimating Committee meets to determine where the state stands financially.
Start says if lawmakers also stick them with the shortages resulting from the pandemic this year, they could face up to another $10-million in lost revenue.
(John McNeill contributed to this report.)
