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Before a packed cafeteria of concerned employees and parents at the Monday work session, for two hours the board discussed proposed cuts in the 2009-09 budget.

To address the anticipated budget shortfall, the board will have to make cuts and decide where its spending priorities lie. Superintendent Al Piwinski made the following recommendations:

* Eight and one-half support staff positions cut for a savings of $391,000;

* Board of education conferences cut to save $7,000;

* The cutting of the police liaison officer, athletic trainer, town bus route, middle school suspension program, high school and middle school tutoring programs, county truancy program, and Saturday extra-curricular field trips; and charging an athletic pay-to-play fee to save a projected $140,622.

* Cutting of two administrative/supervisory positions to save $193,000;

* Cutting of two professional teaching staff positions for a savings of $226,600.

If the above reductions are made, they would total $958,222. That would mean the district would have to take $481,474 of fund equity to offset the remaining shortfall. That would leave the district with 10% of fund equity — $480,000 to $500,000.

Piwinski explained the guiding principles for the district to make any budget cuts include those having the least impact on children, the least impact on employees, and the least impact on the future of the district. "We receive $7,085 from the state and we budgeted for a 1% increase of $72," he said. "We deducted 58 students from enrollment."

Piwinski said the district could use an outside janitorial services company to clean the new elementary school being built. He stressed that decision would be left up to the board. He added the district has had no talks yet with outside companies. "I recognize it's a hot-button issue, but it's where districts around us are going," he said.

Trustee Ralph Deshetsky noted 717 out of 767 schools in the state receive more revenue than North Branch. "It's not by any means that North Branch is inefficient. We're caught up in the system," Deshetsky said.

"These are recommendations and aren't written in stone. The board needs to establish priorities in spending," Piwinski said.

Members of the audience spoke out about the proposed cuts. Some members offered suggestions. Mary Ann Smith asked if the district has considered all-day kindergarten as an option. Piwinski said it's been talked about as an option. Smith also suggested instilling a parking fee for students.

A member of the audience said the custodial staff takes pride in their jobs and claim ownership. She was greeted with a round of applause.

Many other members of the audience said they doubted if the district hired outside companies if workers would have the same amount of pride in doing their jobs as North Branch employees.

Lee Maxwell, a 21-year employee of the district told the board, "I know the best people you hire won't be from Brown City or Lapeer. They're already here," Maxwell said.

"I won't disagree with the quality of people in this district," Piwinski said. "We still have to make cuts and I wish that wasn't the case."

Linda Hayes, a secretary in the district told the board, "I don't envy you guys at all. You have a tough decision to make."

President Gary Manthei assured the audience a decision on the cuts wouldn't be taken lightly. "Many of us on the board have children or grandchildren in the district. I assure you we won't rubber stamp it along," Manthei said.

Before the discussion on budget cuts, a member of the audience, Jacquita McCrory, asked the board to take the initiative so the district stays financially healthy. She also asked the board to think long and hard on privatization of any employees. "The buck stops with the board," she said.

Piwinski said the district will keep revisiting the issue of budgetary cuts in February and could take action as soon as March.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com