Kleenex or Scantrons—that’s the choice that AP Psychology teacher Mr. James must make when purchasing school supplies for his classroom.  His budget for supplies has been cut along with most other budgets in the HVS district.

But do students know what is going on with the district’s finances?  Many students may be like Abby Hocking, who feels that she is “not very well informed” about budget cuts and financial struggles within the district. 

MHS Principal Kevin McKenna said HuronValleyis not the only district making the cuts; the Michigan economy has taken its toll on school districts across the state.  The amount of money that the state gives to schools has decreased for a number of reasons.  Firstly, since there is decreased tax revenue due to the poor economy, there is less money for funding education.  Secondly, many students have either left the state with their families because of the economy or are working instead of going to school.  This means that since school districts are funded based on how many students they have, the districts are not receiving as much money.  

According to a presentation about a millage renewal this year, Huron Valley is the lowest state-funded district in Oakland County.  This school year, it gets $6,966 per student from the state compared to $11,854 for the Bloomfield Hills school district, the highest funded in the county. 

When the district’s funding is limited, it is felt on the personal level.  Over the years, limited funding has resulted in staffing cuts and pay cuts.  It’s often the staff behind the scenes that get cut: cafeteria staff, busing staff, maintenance staff.  Every teacher has recently received a pay cut of about one tenth of his or her salary, as well as reduced benefits.

Another change that the district has made to accommodate the budget cuts is having post-secondary students with disabilities get education at district high schools instead of at other locations.  This is more cost effective for the district, McKenna said.

Some students don’t believe this is true, however.  Senior Hunter Moore thinks that MHS gets “[unnecessary] stuff for classrooms we don’t need.”  What may, however, be unnecessary to one person may be necessary to another.  One thing is for sure: the school needs to spend its money wisely.

Despite all the cuts and financial issues that the district has faced, school leaders are optimistic that things will not get worse.

“We’ve done the big cuts,” said McKenna, such as closing a few schools in the district. “Now it’s the nitty gritty.”  The school must try to cut back on expenses such as paper use, which students may notice.  Many teachers have students work on assignments online or may even have them print the assignments out at home instead of giving it to them in order to save the school paper. 

McKenna also said that things will never be the exactly the same as they used to be financially.  The district will have to become more efficient as the state wants them to be.  One method of efficiency affects many students is that students may not ever be able to be in small class sizes again, as small classes are not cost effective. 

This is something that directly affects students.  Megan Pelzel noticed last year that it was “hard to get time for one on one help in physics because everyone needed the teacher.”  This is an issue where the district has to make a decision between saving money and providing a quality classroom environment. 

The district will be able to manage as long the Non-Homestead Millage on the ballot on Nov. 6 passes.  This millage brings in revenue from business and people with second homes.  It has accounted for about 10 percent of the district’s budget, and needs to be passed again for the district to function properly.  If it doesn’t pass, it would be equivalent to wiping out the whole budget for one of the district’s high schools.  This millage is a renewal, so no one will experience any tax increases.

The next time you have a cold and there’s no tissues in your classroom, don’t blame your teacher and don’t blame the school.  Remember the state of our economy.  Or you could just bring your own tissues to school.