LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Okemos Public Colleges is presently in search of a approach to tackle a projected $1.6 million funding deficit.
In a message despatched out Thursday, the district’s superintendent, John. J. Hood, says the district was dealing with a deficit in 2024–25, and the board determined to spend from the district’s financial savings to deal with it. He says the district hoped to shut that hole within the upcoming finances, however “unexpected” elements led to the district dealing with a projected $1.6 million deficit because it approaches the start of the 2025–26 college yr.
The superintendent says the district’s lack of $1.2 million in state funding for worker retirement and $1.17 million in cuts to particular schooling funding from the Ingham Intermediate College District (ISD) have sophisticated their efforts to reconcile the finances.
6 Information spoke with the superintendent of the Ingham Intermediate College District, Jason Mellema, who mentioned it is not simply the Okemos College District which will should make some powerful selections as they plan for the following college yr.
“Where are our expenses at? Where are revenues? How do we make sure that we’re in a balanced format, and if there are adjustments that need to be made, how do we prioritize as best as possible to make sure that we’re serving our students and families? And so, that’s going to be an ongoing conversation as I mentioned, just like our local districts will be having, we will have to have our budget adopted by June 30th. At this point in time, we’re not expecting any reductions, but I think this point in time might be the biggest statement there, because if there are obviously changes, as I referenced with respect to the federal level, those will have a cascading effect into our schools.”
Ingham Intermediate College District Superintendent, Jason Mellema
Hood additionally says the worth of medical health insurance for district staff has elevated by $825,000—past an already budgeted 10% enhance—and that the district additionally needed to spend $940,000 out of its financial savings to deal with well being and questions of safety.
In response to the superintendent, the district has been in search of methods to chop spending and increase income for 2025–26, together with altering its early childhood programming and costs, implementing a voluntary severance program for retiring or resigning lecturers, not backfilling some positions left vacant by retirees and searching into completely different insurance coverage choices.
Hood says the district is required to undertake a balanced finances by June 30, and lots of elements may influence their projections, corresponding to state per-pupil funding and pupil enrollment.
The varsity board will present finances updates and planning at every board assembly this spring. These conferences are scheduled for April 20, Could 12, Could 19, Could 27, and June 9.
Hood anticipates the finances will likely be adopted on June 23.
