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Board unanimously files protest of Oakland Schools budget; approves several routine items
Summary
The Waterford School District Board of Education voted 6-0 to approve several routine items and to formally register its disapproval of the Oakland Schools 2025–26 general fund budget, citing inadequate funding for center-based and adjudicated youth programs.
The Waterford School District Board of Education on an evening meeting approved a set of routine items and voted 6-0 to file a formal resolution of disapproval against the Oakland Schools proposed 2025–26 general fund budget.
The board’s formal protest motion (Superintendent’s recommendation 58-24-25) was moved and explained by Treasurer Donahue, who said the district opposes the countywide budget because it “lacks dedicated or proportional funding support” for center-based programs, provides “minimal financial support” for adjudicated youth programs and does not adequately offset transportation and staffing costs for countywide programs. Donahue said Oakland Schools provides roughly $2,450,000 countywide for adjudicated/incarcerated youth programs, a figure he described as insufficient.
Other motions approved by unanimous vote included: approving a public notice of hearing on the proposed 2025–26 district budget, authorizing a cooperative agreement for girls basketball for the 2025–26 season, and approving proposed amendments to the Oakland County School Boards Association (OCSBA) bylaws and resolutions. The consent agenda was also approved "as printed." Each motion was called, supported and carried by a 6-0 recorded vote.
Why it matters: The board’s protest is a formal statement to Oakland Schools and reflects Waterford’s longstanding concern that countywide programs (especially those serving students with complex needs and adjudicated youth) shift disproportionate costs onto districts that operate mandated center-based services. While the protest does not change Oakland Schools’ budget immediately, the resolution registers Waterford’s objections before county deliberations and may be followed by district representation at county meetings.
Key details and outcomes - Motion: Approve resolution in disapproval of Oakland Schools 2025–26 general fund budget (Superintendent recommendation 58-24-25). - Mover: Treasurer Donahue - Outcome: Approved, 6-0 - Board rationale (excerpt): inadequate center-based funding for Kinsley Montgomery School; insufficient countywide support for adjudicated youth education; inadequate offsets for transportation and staffing costs.
- Motion: Approve the attached newspaper notice of public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 Waterford School District budget. - Mover: Member MacGregor (acting secretary) - Outcome: Approved, 6-0
- Motion: Approve cooperative agreement for girls basketball for the 2025–26 season. - Mover: Member MacGregor - Outcome: Approved, 6-0 - Board comment: Member Donahue criticized the athletic office for returning the same participation numbers as last year; he said he supported the agreement because it is in the best interest of the students.
- Motion: Approve proposed amendments to OCSBA bylaws and resolutions as presented. - Mover: President Wagner - Outcome: Approved, 6-0 - Note: Changes included modernization of notice provisions among other wording updates.
Discussion vs. decision: The Oakland Schools disapproval was a formal action with recorded votes and an explanation from Treasurer Donahue; other items were routine approvals with limited discussion. The board noted that historically the district files the protest when countywide cost-sharing for specialized programs is insufficient.
Ending: Board members indicated they may present the protest at Oakland Schools meetings and that the motion is intended as a formal expression of Waterford’s ongoing funding concerns.
