Eastern Pulaski School Board Discusses Budget Cuts

Dr. Robert Klitzman
Dr. Robert Klitzman

Schools are facing tough times with the changes in the state’s funding formula, including Eastern Pulaski Schools.

“From the funding we got in 2011, we are going to be cut the restoration grant of $618,000, a small school grant of $107,000, a primetime grant of $80,000, allowances to help with our special needs program $28,000, vocational allowance to help with that program $11,000, and we’re anticipating our Title One program to be cut about $8,000,” said Eastern Pulaski School Superintendent, Dr. Robert Klitzman.

“On the other side of the ledger, they did give schools a one-half of a one percent increase so we’re looking at gaining about $52,000-53,000 in that. They’re not anticipating cutting us back in 2012 so I view that as a $416,000 increase because I’m not losing money. Fortunately for Eastern Pulaski schools, we have some federal stimulus money for 2012 and that’s $265,000. So, when it’s all said and done, when you look at the ledger, we are going to be down for 2012 approximately $117,000. The problem is that as you know in Indiana, it’s a two year budget. I’m looking at quite a bit more than $117,000 based on enrollment projections for 2013.”