WIUM Local
(2008-09-15)
Superintendent Alene Reuschel
Superintendent Alene Reuschel says even though a 15% hike in fuel costs is built into the budget, there's no guarantee that's enough.
Reuschel points out gas prices jumped in the past week because of natural disasters. In addition, school buses run on diesel fuel, which already costs more than $4.00 per gallon.
Reuschel thinks the overall budget appears healthy. It's in the black by $331,000. It projects revenues of $18.2 million and expenses of $17.9 million.
The biggest area of spending for the district is the education fund. The district projects revenues of $15.4 million in that fund and expenses of $15.2 million.
Macomb School District Superintendent Alene Reuschel talks about the budget in a brief interview that you can listen to by clicking on the audio button.
Additional information:
*Board of Education member Bill DeJong says that when he came onto the board in 1999, projections showed the district would be in financial trouble by 2004. He's impressed the district has managed to remain in decent financial shape.
*The district is required to hold a public hearing on the budget before voting on it. No one commented on the spending plan during the public hearing. The board approved the budget 7-0.
*A breakdown of revenue sources shows local taxpayers are still footing much of the bill for public education:
53% from local sources
39% from the state
7% from the federal government © Copyright 2009, wium
