Layoff notices issued in Posen schools
Another unsettling sign of the financial instability facing local school districts and the state, five members of the Posen Consolidated Schools staff were laid off at Monday?s Board of Education meeting. With no increase in the foundation grant coming from Lansing for the next school year, school officials recommended the issuance of pink slips to two teachers, two aides, and support staff worker from the kitchen. Assistant administrator Dru Milliron said the ?precautionary? move meets contract obligations regarding notices to employees, but there is a possibility they all could be called back.
The layoffs were handled in five separate motions by board members. On the list are Greg Pietsch, secondary science teacher; Mary Misiak, secondary English teacher; Lois Krajniak, elementary aide; Laurie Zielaskowski, elementary aide; and Mary Ann Zakshesky, assistant cook. The layoffs will be effective at the end of the year.
?IT IS BECA– USE you do not know what state aid is going to be,? said superintendent John Palmer. ?So, you have to prepare yourself for the least popular scenario.? He said the district is facing a substantial deficit, the details of which have not been finalized or released to the public. Even the retirement of Judy Pilarski, who has been with the district for many years in different capacities, could not lessen the financial sting. Her retirement will be effective October 1. Her retirement announcement was accepted with regret. ?It is horrible,? said Palmer. ?It is one of the worst things that I have to do. Of any job as a superintendent, this is the worst there is.?
Representing his wife, who is nine months pregnant, Ben Misiak said, ?It puts our minds at ease. I know you are doing what you can.? Palmer said the layoffs were necessary because there is no additional money expected for the 2007-08 school year, ?so you have to act accordingly and prepare the board of education to be solvent.? While the situation regarding the upcoming school year is troublesome, a budget amendment may be needed before the end of the school year as school officials received an email Monday morning telling them to brace themselves for a pro-ration cut of $85 to $100.
DISTRICTS ACROSS the state will be receiving a letter from the state budget office stating that they should be prepared for the cut from their last three state aid payments. In addition, there is a cash flow shortage for the May state aid payment that will require a three-day delay. Sales tax revenue is down substantially from what was forecast in January and the May revenue forecast is expected to be ?bleak.?
Board member Randy Styma asked if there is any chance Lansing will ?change policy and quit playing around. What is it going to take?? It was suggested that people contact their state representatives and encourage them to find a solution. The central office also may send out notices with elementary students and post information on the school website for area residents, who want to contact State Rep. Matt Gillard or State Sen. Jason Allen. Even with the layoffs and $30,000 less coming in from the pro-ration cut, Milliron is confident that Posen will be able to put forth a quality education for its students next year.
?We all believe we have quality educators in those core areas, and the kids will be able to meet all the requirements for the new state mandates with the staff we have,? said Milliron. The classroom ratio in the high school is 17 to 1
IN OTHER news: ? A community forum is still being planned to explain the renewal of the millage in May.
? The kindergarten numbers are at 20, which is higher than last year.
? Palmer said a computer lease program is being looked at with Hewlett-Packard and Dell, as the current computers are becoming a problem and wearing out.
? A check of $5,000 was accepted from the Posen Sports Boosters, bringing the total for the school year to $30,000.