Galien School Board to make drastic decisions Monday night
Posted: Nov 21, 2011 11:05 AM EDT | Updated: Nov 6, 2014 1:29 PM EDT
GALIEN TOWNSHIP, Mich - After an extensive two-month investigation, the future of Galien Township Schools could be decided at Monday night’s School Board meeting.
In a letter sent to parents, the Superintendent, Tim Allard, urged parents to attend the meeting. He said the debt versus revenue is so out of balance, that drastic decisions may be required.
Two months ago, Michigan’s Department of Education started investigating the district for allegedly turning paperwork in to the state for 77 extra students, from 2008 to 2011.
Depending on the results, Galien may have to pay back nearly a half-million in state funding.
The board will announce the results of the audit at the meeting Monday night, and seek public comment regarding what steps the district can take.
While closing would be an option, Allard said there are other limited options; the district could borrow the money, but with just 122 kids enrolled in the school, that may not be enough to secure assistance to pay back $500,000.
Allard, who inherited the mess, has only been the Superintendent since September 19th, 2011.
The school only has 10 teachers, and several of them teach two grades. Over the summer, teachers took a pay cut to avoid closing the school.
Rumors have circulated that the board will vote to lay off teachers and parents at the meeting, closing down the school. Then, students would have the opportunity to apply for Schools of Choice in neighboring districts.
Rumors have also circulated that the closing could come as soon as winter break.
These details have not been confirmed, but the community will get answers at Monday night’s meeting.
The closed session starts at 6:30 p.m., and at 7:30 p.m. the regular meeting will start.