Facing extensive cuts in state aid, Muskogee Public Schools officials met with parents Monday to hear their ideas on saving the district money.

School parents and patrons responded by questioning the need for so many secondary-level administrators, driver’s education and $25-per hour extra duty stipends.

Those attending — mostly Sadler Arts Academy and Tony Goetz Elementary School parents and members of the Muskogee High School ROTC — reviewed two lengthy lists of suggested budget cuts. One list had 65 proposals that had been considered in the past, the other list had 63 suggestions made by the public. No decision was made and no action was taken at the meeting. No school board members were present.

Another meeting is planned for January.

MPS Superintendent Mike Garde said the State of Oklahoma is “$471.7 million in the hole,” with budget prospects getting worse over the next year. He said MPS had 7.8 percent of its state allocation cut in August, 9.7 percent cut in September, 8.5 percent in October and 8.36 for November.

District Chief Financial Officer John Little painted an even grimmer picture for 2012 when the school no longer will get $1.6 million in federal stimulus money. That also will be when kindergarten teachers will have to be paid through the general fund instead of federal Title I funds.

Little said salaries, benefits, stipends and size of certified staff cannot be touched this year because of contract agreements. And, 87 percent of the school budget is personnel.

He said every staff cut that’s been done to date has been done through attrition. Teachers and other certified personnel are being given an early retirement incentive through December. The Muskogee Board of Education will consider an early retirement incentive for support workers such as secretaries and child nutrition workers at its regular meeting tonight.

Little said several budget reduction suggestions already are being done. For example, principals and assistant principals are substitute teaching, saving about $35,000, he said, adding that’s about the same salary as a beginning teacher.

Several parents expressed concern about reductions in support workers, including school secretaries.

“At Tony Goetz, those two secretaries, we are very fortunate to have,” said parent Leigh Ann Mathews.

Another parent, Angela Wilhite, said the secretaries also serve as nurses and counselors.

Little said secretaries resigning from Grant Foreman Elementary and Ben Franklin Science Academy will be replaced by existing office assistants at those schools with no positions being filled. Two secretaries are resigning from MHS, and one is voluntarily leaving the Indian education program.

Little said 40 people work at the Board of Education Service and Technology Center, 15 of which are clerical.

“A lot are grant-funded,” he said. “You cannot reduce them without reducing the grant.”

Several parents asked why Muskogee High School needs six principals. They also asked why MHS and the 7th and 8th Grade Center have two dean of students positions, paid for out of the General Fund.

MPS assistant superintendent for personnel and support said one of the deans is a two-year job, funded by federal Stimulus money. Part of the Stimulus funds were to create new positions.

Little said assignment of secondary principals is one of the budget-cutting proposals under consideration.

Garde said Ben Franklin Science Academy, with at least 600 students in kindergarten through eighth grade has grown large enough to require a second principal.



Reach Cathy Spaulding at 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com



Meeting today



WHAT: Muskogee Public Schools Board of Education Regular Meeting

WHEN: 6 p.m. today.

WHERE: Board of Education Service and Technology Center, 202 W. Broadway.

AGENDA:

• Discuss budget adjustment for FY 2010.

• Vote on proposed changes in board policies governing part-time and substitute staff development, substitute teaching and reimbursement for travel expenses.

• Vote on calling annual school board election for Feb. 9, 2010.

• Vote on schedule of regular monthly meetings for 2010.

• Vote on voluntary separation plan with Muskogee Education Support Personnel Association.

• Vote on resignation of Child Nutrition Services nutritionist.

• Vote on resignations of secretaries at Indian Education program, Ben Franklin Science Academy and Grant Foreman Elementary; attendance secretary at 7th and 8th Grade Center; attendance secretary, registrar and secretary at Muskogee High School.