Weekly Editorial
September 22, 2006

Doing More With Less

In today’s challenging business climate, one must “add value and cut costs” in order to survive. This principle is no different for HSPS as we endeavor to be wise and efficient in managing our 10.7 million dollar budget. During the past six years, we have adjusted and adapted to declining school aid revenues from the state. Michigan is experiencing its worst budget problems since World War II and the weak economy has impacted all government services, particularly public schools. With prudent forecasting of these declining revenues and initiating timely decisions, the school board has established a pattern of being able to invest in programming (maintaining optimal class sizes and varied course offerings) while making adjustments in other areas. Examples of these wise decisions during the past six years include the following:

• Initiating an annual multi-year revenues and expenses forecast which includes projecting the increasing insurance and retirement costs.
• Through attrition (retirements and resignations), adjusting staffing levels in non-classroom specific areas (administration, transportation, custodial, food service, etc.) without causing layoffs.
• Initiating a timely voluntary teacher retirement incentive, which resulted in structured employee salary savings.
• Initiating a range of operational cost saving measures (utility use, purchasing, etc.)
• Not only maintaining, but also investing in our overall academic program including the addition of a second foreign language (French), middle school seven-period day, all-day and developmental kindergarten options and additional course offerings at the high school.

Good financial management is not a one-time event--it’s a series of disciplined decisions over a period of time. Your School Board has been wise and prudent during the past six years and has positioned the district in a sound financial position during difficult times.