District aims to pay some operating costs from a bond
The Oakland County district wants to shift about $2 million of its annual operating costs into a capital rebuilding program financed by a $169.1-million bond. The money would be used to fund capital improvements that reduce energy bills and save maintenance expenses that are paid from the district's operating costs.
State education experts say Berkley is on the right path.
"A district's operating fund is almost 100% controlled by what the state allocates," while a rebuilding program is "100% supported by local taxpayers," said David Martell, executive director of the Michigan School Business Officials.
"It's obvious that future funding from the state is going to be constrained," Martell said.
By slicing operating costs, a district puts more spending under local control, "and that makes sense in today's economic climate," agreed Michigan Department of Education spokeswoman Jan Ellis.
| Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas