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The single largest cut calls for the reduction of eight full-time teaching positions, including in the elementary choir and music areas, for a savings of $800,000. No layoffs were required, as the reductions were achieved through retirements and attrition.

The board agreed to tap its fund balance for $1 million, leaving approximately $8.1 million left in the rainy day, or general fund savings, account.

School officials developed a top-to-bottom list of 33 areas to cut.

The district expects to find $75,000 in savings through an aggressive district-wide energy conservation program. This includes making sure all unused appliances and computers are turned off when not in use. New equipment to be installed in the buildings will use sensors to detect movement within rooms. If no movement is detected within a short period, the overhead lights will automatically be shut off.

In the order submitted by the school administration are the following savings:

n Elimination of an annual contract with Honeywell, $29,000

n Cut the operations projects budget, $50,000

n Combine News & Views/enrichment catalog (posting/print savings), $6,000

n Review bid process for gas/diesel, $2,500

n Alternate day cleaning for non-instructional buildings such as bus garage and Irwin Elementary School (new administration offices), $12,500

n Initiate paperless proceedings such as online pay stubs, $7,500

n Cut special education paraprofessionals at Zemmer, Lapeer West, $30,000

n Increase facility use rental fees, $7,500

n Alternate years for curriculum support, $50,000

n Money counting for food service to be done by bank, $10,000

n Compare prices for annual audit, $3,000

n Elimination of operations over time pay, unless for safety and security, $65,000

n Sub-contract summer grounds work, $25,000

n Reduce, eliminate field trips or fully fund all non-athletic trips, $30,000

n Eliminate weekend athletic transportation (unless self paid), $8,000

At a meeting earlier this month, LCS officials agreed to remove from the list of proposed cuts a plan to change the kindergarten program from the current half-day to an all day, every other day schedule. The change of kindergarten schedules would have saved $110,000 from elimination of mid-day bus runs.

While identified on its recommended budget cutbacks list, the board and administration are hopeful they will not have to enact the following actions:

n Eliminate custodial substitutes, $50,000

n Increase athletic pay to participate, $35,000

n Reduce TAG, $9,000

n Eliminate all professional development not grant funded or contractually required, $5,000

n Custodial reduction/reallocation, $110,000

n Clean on alternate days (high schools, middle school only), $110,000

n Reduce counselors, $100,000

n Reduce media/paraprofessional formula, $175,000

n Switch to November elections, $30,000

Kevin Rose, assistant superintendent of finances, said he anticipates the school district will receive an additional $100 per student in State Aid Foundation allowance from the State of Michigan, a significant sum when added to the current $7,085 per student allocated to the district for its 7,063 students.

"I don't think we'll really know by September, but at least by then we'll know what our student body count is," Rose said. "About a month ago I didn't think we'd get any additional money, so this is good news for us and districts across the state. I'm pretty sure we will see some additional money, and that's why we're going to hold off on making the cuts on the lower part of our list because we're hoping to have new money to eliminate the need."

While the new budget was heavy in cuts, it did reflect some new investment as well in keeping with goals and objectives outlined by the board particularly in the way of technology.

The board agreed to hire an additional tech support employee to oversee the its 2,500 computers in use for instruction at a cost of $50,000. Many districts have a 1 to 500 ratio of tech people to computers. LCS currently has one full-time tech person.

The board increased spending on textbooks by $50,000. Last year in the budget process in order to find savings the board opted to cut $50,000 from its textbook fund.

In addition, the district agreed to purchase a new student information management system called PowerSchool by Pearson School Systems at a cost of $40,000. The product is a web-based, cross-platform technology enabling students, parents, teachers, and administrators to participate in increasing student achievement.

The communication tool enables parents and teachers to stay on top of student progress. And because the gradebook is integral to teachers' workflows, information is always timely and relevant.

Jeffrey Hogan can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8113 or jeff.hogan@lapeergroup.com