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Board approves tentative secretaries' agreement; hears budget shortfall and one-year nursing funding plan
Summary
The board approved a tentative contract for education secretaries that raises starting hourly wages; staff outlined a roughly $2 million revenue drop tied to enrollment and expiring grants and proposed a one-year, roughly $400,000 use of fund balance to keep nurses in schools while seeking longer-term funding.
The Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education on May 18 approved a tentative agreement with the district's education secretaries unit and reviewed budget materials showing a revenue decline driven by enrollment loss and the phaseout of federal and grant funding.
A district representative reported that the tentative agreement — negotiated and ratified by the unit — collapses two salary schedules and sets a common rate of $23.48 an hour for years 1–2 and $24.84 an hour for staff with three or more years, a change the negotiator said will make the district more competitive for secretarial hires.
"Previously, administrative secretaries in year 1 and 2 made $19.51 an hour... they will receive per your approval, in years 1 and 2, $23.48 an hour," the negotiator said. The board moved to approve the tentative agreement under new business; after a roll-call vote the motion passed.
Separately, district finance staff presented the proposed budget and highlighted a roughly $2 million revenue reduction tied to a loss of about 200 students and the winding down of federal ESSER and other grants. "We had a $2,000,000 drop," the presenter said, and noted ESSER funding had provided substantial one-time resources over the previous years.
Staff recommended a one-time use of the district's fund balance to continue school nursing services for one year while the district pursues alternative funding sources and community partnerships. The finance presenter characterized this as a temporary "Band-Aid," saying fund balance should not be used for ongoing expenses. Board members asked whether the district has documented outreach to unions and community partners about these proposals; staff said they carried out committee listening and will continue outreach.
The board also approved routine consent items and an agenda amendment earlier in the meeting. No teacher layoffs were recommended at this time; staff said reductions were limited and primarily related to positions tied to expiring grants.
The superintendent and other administrators reminded the community about upcoming graduations, senior honors night and the district's first superintendent reading competition.
