Big Changes Come to the Brighton Area School District in Brighton, Michigan

Brighton High School of the Mid-Michigan town Brighton is a frequent contender for Newsweek's top 1000 High schools in the United States. Unfortunately, the praise that the school district receives is not enough to help save it from its 3.5 million dollar deficit that it is facing. This deficit is projected to reach as high as 7 million dollars in the next year.

The district in recent history, going back at least six or seven years has been struggling to maintain funds and contracts resulting in the cuts of programs and transportation. The school district at one time cut funding for school buses until it was brought back later that year due to local outcry and objections. Similarly, after school programs, clubs, and field trips that have been previously done annually have been cut.

If these cutbacks in programs and maintenance have caught the attention of Brighton Area Students as well, the protesting demonstrated by the staff both before and during school hours have. Staff at the Brighton High School would often wear all black weekly due to the ending of their contracts, which were not renewed at the time.

The city tried passing mileages or increases in funding for the district during both the previous elections, but none of the proposals passed. A climbing deficit with no signs of an increase in budget has forced the district to take greater measures to balance their budget.

One of the first steps taken was to close the Pre-Elementary school, Miller. The district also has recently sent out layoff notices to 54 teachers due to the projected deficit. This was announced shortly after the district scrapped its early retention plan due to lack of interest from teachers.

Not everyone is worried about Brighton Area School's downfall however. Contending super attendants Greg Gray and Bill Ellis are optimistic that Brighton can turn around, especially with its excellent history. Ellis also comments that Brighton is not the only district that faces financial trouble; it is just one of the first to get to the point that it is at.

Both prospective Superintendents will return for second interviews this week and voting will be held on the 26th of May. New administrative positions have already been signed, many of which are already staff members of the district. Lara Surrey, a current Vice Principal at Brighton High School, will become the new executive director of instruction.

The school board must complete a new budget by June 30th. These changes in budget and administration are important for the district and determining the course of its future.

Sources and Further Reading:

http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20090514/NEWS01/905140301/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Budget+bind+doesn+t+faze+Brighton+super+hopefuls

www.livingstondaily.com/article/20090512/NEWS01/90512003/Brighton+Schools+staff+retention+plan+is+scrapped

http://www.mlive.com/news/livingston/index.ssf/2009/05/personnel_changes_in_progress.html