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Posted on Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 5:57 a.m.

Lincoln school district looks to consolidate services to save money

By John Garcia

The Lincoln Consolidated Schools Board of Education agreed Monday to consolidate many of its services to combat a budget shortfall.

The district hopes to outsource its human resources director, consolidate transportation with a countywide model, and consolidate its business office with other school districts. The board also will decide whether to hire another technology director or rely on a consultant.

The district’s current human resource director, Sylvester Rowan, has already announced his retirement and will leave the district by the summer. One possible replacement would be to use human resources functions from the Ann Arbor school district when needed.

“If we were to go with Ann Arbor HR, it would be approximately $5,000 a month as a consultant,” Superintendent Lynn Cleary said. "... I think that we would be better off trying this as a pilot.”

The district also intends to consolidate its transportation services with other districts in the county. According to Cleary, it would save the district 25 percent of the current cost of transporting students.

“They anticipate that this system will be done by the end of the school year and ready to go. All the districts will have the opportunity to opt in or opt out,” Cleary said.

The district's business services will also likely be cut back and merged with the Ypsilanti, Willow Run and possibly Milan school districts. The shared business department would be housed in a neutral location. 

Lincoln school officials say they hope this service will be up and running by the 2011-2012 school year.

Cleary also asked for feedback from the board and attendees on whether the district should hire another technology director or simply rely on a consultant.

“We need to have someone who is going to lead the district in what our means and wants are,” Cleary said.

A budget projection for 2011 done by Cathy Secor, the director of business services, and Cleary shows the district will be in the red by $1.5 million.

“As you know, that’s not going to be acceptable to the state,” Secor said.

John Garcia is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.

Comments

BenWoodruff

Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 7:54 p.m.

Let it go...how about we move on...oh wait, then you won't feel superior...glad we can help with your little self-esteem problem

scooter dog

Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 1:38 p.m.

I'd say its time for a recall

ladydi

Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 8:22 a.m.

I say it's time for another $25,000 infomercial!

stunhsif

Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 7:58 a.m.

These changes make sense but the pink elephant is still sitting at the table ( union pension costs)! That is where the cuts need to be made FIRST!

Jim Mulchay

Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 7:23 a.m.

Politically there are huge problems but what might be considered is (a) centralization of HR functions with the WISD; (b) cooperation / shared HR services with Milan, Ypsilanti, Willow Run (and maybe Belleville?); "A" would be in line with increasing the use of WISD as a county-wide with possible centralizing other functions in the future; "B" would be looking at more of a centralized "Eastern Washtenaw" structure. While these are very difficult suggestions to implement, there are limited funds available for public schools (from local, state and federal source) and a local push to consolidation may be preferable to a state (or federal?) mandated plan sometime in the future.

Somewhat Concerned

Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 6:28 a.m.

They are taking the wrong approach. Instead, they should buy a "best schools" award from WXYZ. That's the best thing they can do at Lincoln.