Advancing Avondale
As the State of Michigan grapples with budget cuts, education at all levels appears to have a large bull’s eye on its back. In the K-12 arena, especially in districts like Avondale that have undertaken significant cost cutting measures in recent years and are already operating at bare bones, the proposed cuts present a frightening scenario. Up to this point, we have continued to improve student levels of achievement in academics, the arts and leadership despite our cost cutting environment. With the proposed budget cuts to education, we will be forced to introduce additional and deeper cost savings programs that directly impact students through a reduction in teachers, increased class size and the elimination of numerous programs that enhance our student’s performance and overall educational experience.
Under the mantra of “Advancing Avondale” we want to use this website tab to keep you as up to date as possible on current issues affecting the education of our young people. We also want you to understand the level of cuts that have already taken place in Avondale to comply with the Deficit Elimination plan laid out for us by the State in 2007. Here’s a quick review of the cost saving measures we have implemented to date:
- Privatized custodial services in 2006; approximate savings per year: $470,000
- Privatized maintenance and operations in 2006; approximate savings per year: $84,000
- Privatized outdoor services such as mowing and snow removal in 2006; approximate savings per year: $58,000
- Bargained wage freezes for three of the last four years; savings per year: $210,000
- Bargained health care concessions, which now include a percentage of premium shares paid monthly; health care costs reduced by $500,000 in four years
- Extended boundaries for bussing in 2008, eliminating runs and making elementary school start and stop times uniform; savings per year: $42,000
- Entered into a Shared Service Agreement with the Troy School District in 2010 for business, transportation and purchasing management that saves Avondale $400,000 per year.
- Increased revenue through creative programming in alternative education, such as virtual school shared time with Lutheran High North West; approximate annual savings: $500,000
Do you want to help Advance Avondale? Click on the link below to get information on how to contact our Senator and representatives in Lansing and let them know how you feel about further cuts to Districts like Avondale that have maximized our ability to do more with less.
Confused about the financial issues being discussed, both at the State Level and right here at Avondale? Click the link for a Q and A that addresses the issues with facts and straight talk.
Also, read recent news releases highlighting the success of students in the Avondale District.
