School Board to Consider $63.5 Million Budget

West Bloomfield Schools are expected to operate in the 2012-13 school year with a general fund surplus despite a cut in funds coming in from state taxes.

The 2012-13 budget provides an estimate for money coming into the district at $64.6 million, $2.4 million less than the 2011-12 amended budget. However, a five percent decrease in expenditures over the same time allows for the surplus of $1.2 million.

The $8,646 per pupil foundation allowance, cut by $470 per pupil last year in an act by the state legislature, continues to hurt revenue, while grants for "best practices" designed to help recoup losses are reduced this year from $100 to $52 per pupil.

The district predicts to lose 197 students in the upcoming school year, to 6,390 blended, continuing a three-year

Taxable values are expected to continue dropping as they have since 2007, according to the budget, although the total levy continues to grow as well. In May, a 10-year, 1.5-mill building and site sinking fund millage proposal was voted to be placed on the Nov. 2012 election ballot.

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The open session meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the media center. The school enrollment and facilities utilization final report has been tabled to the Aug. 27 board meeting.

For the full agenda, visit the