Canon-McMillan: Everyone is Paying Their Fair Share

Editor's Note: The following statement was issued by the district late Wednesday afternoon:

The Canon-McMillan Board of School Directors and administration would like to thank all of the employees of the Canon-McMillan School District for agreeing to hold wages steady with some concessions for the next school year.

The participants in the agreement include administrators, confidential secretaries, and members of both the Canon-McMillan Education Association and the Service Employees International Union.  

CMEA worked in conjunction with the Canon-McMillan Board of School Directors and administrators to craft a concessionary package including a partial wage freeze and an increase to their health-care contribution. This eliminated the necessity of furloughing any teachers for the 2011-12 school year. Other employees have agreed to a full wage freeze.  

Board President Debbie link said that she “appreciates the efforts of all of the employees to eliminate the need to cut the elementary instrumental music program and the need to furlough teachers.”  

According to CMEA President Tammie Laur: “With the students at the forefront of district intentions, CMEA is pleased that we were able to represent the best interests of our members, taxpayers, and community. We look forward to continuing this atmosphere of cooperation.”  

Balancing the budget this year was especially difficult given the current economic climate as well as shouldering a reduction in state funding and an increase in tax assessment appeals, all while the district continues to grow.   

“The programming at Canon-McMillan includes two national Blue Ribbon elementary schools and a middle school that was nationally designated a School to Watch. Everyone in the Canon-McMillan education community believes we must do everything to continue these exceptional educational opportunities for our students,” said Michael Daniels, assistant to the superintendent.  

Many school districts across the state were able to weather these difficult economic times by raising taxes or utilizing their fund balance. The CMSD Board of School Directors decided to balance the budget for 2011-12 with no tax increase.   

The district raised taxes in the last couple of years in response to the state Auditor General’s report that addressed the district’s deficit general fund balance that resulted from past overspending and poor internal controls, as noted by the auditor general. The current administration has implemented a number of corrective measures, including the elimination of deficit spending, and has tightened internal controls.   

In September 2010, the board of directors further responded to the auditor general’s recommendation by creating Fund Balance Policy 620 that will enable the district to financially plan for contingencies and future plans in a proactive manner.  

“After more than 40 years in the business community, it was a pleasure to witness the ‘can do’ attitude exhibited by all of the Canon-McMillan employees at every level and in every department, unit, and labor union. They stepped up to the plate when it counted!” school director Eric Kline said.  

“C-M employees heeded the call of Governor Tom Corbett to tighten our belts in order to reduce the cost of education to the 2008 level," he said. "This was accomplished with only a small effect on our educational programs, while maintaining as many educational programs and as much employment as possible.”

Kline added: “The (school board) was pleased to be able to see the budget balanced while avoiding a tax increase in these difficult economic times. It is noted that C-M taxpayers have previously had five consecutive years of tax increases. With every employee’s help, everyone is paying his/her ‘fair share’ of the cost of education at Canon-McMillan. At Canon-McMillan the children truly do come first.”