MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. – Questions were raised within L’Anse Creuse Public Schools after the school discovered a multi-million dollar budget shortfall. The Macomb County school is facing a deficit of $8 million.
Superintendent Keith Howell says it’s because of a few things, including the end of COVID-19 funding.
On Monday (Feb. 24), the district met to discuss the budget and its progress, but not before hearing from some worried parents.
“What I don’t understand is how did we not know that was in a budget or not budgeted for, I don’t understand the lack of transparency,” said a parent.
Howell acknowledged the lack of transparency while explaining how L’Anse Creuse Public Schools ended up in this situation.
When Howell took over as district leader last fall, “We identified there was a $3 million fund balance spend that the budget was approved in June and between my time from October, and now, we realize it could be much more.”
If you’re wondering how much more, it was upwards of $9 million. The revelation prompted trustee Shane Sellers to request a forensic audit and an investigation from the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Local 4 sat down with him ahead of Monday night’s meeting.
“This budget is only good through June 30, so somehow, we have to come up with something between now and June 30 and then a whole nother new budget next year. My concern is not just this year, it’s next year because this budget is going to carry over to next year,” said Sellers.
Howell said the budget did not consider a decline in student enrollment and the loss of COVID-19 relief dollars.
School leaders said they plan to present a mid-year budget at the board meeting scheduled for the end of March.
The mid-year budget would give parents another update on where the finances stand.
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