OSCEOLA COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/.WGTU) — The Pine River Area Schools Board of Education is grappling with a financial shortfall, seeking to free up approximately $1 million in spending. The board’s finance committee has advised the move as the district faces a budget imbalance.
Superintendent Michelle Gill said the district is spending more than it is bringing in, exacerbated by the cessation of COVID-related funding that had been invested in staff five years ago. Additionally, the district has experienced a decline in enrollment, losing about 175 students over the past five years.
Gill indicated that potential staff cuts are being considered to address the financial gap. The board had planned to discuss the budget reduction plan at a meeting Monday night but removed the item from the agenda earlier that day, citing the need for more time to deliberate on where cuts should occur.
“It’s a difficult and emotional process that we have to go through because we have to be fiscally responsible to our community,” Gill said. “So even though it might be painful, and it’s not something we want to do, we have to balance the budget. And we have to work towards that so that our district will continue to flourish and to produce fine young students.”
The board is scheduled to take action on the budget reduction plan on Wednesday, May 21.
