Birmingham Schools Superintendent Optimistic About 2011-12 School Year

The school year is officially in full swing in the classrooms of , and yet there’s still so much to look forward to, according to Superintendent David Larson.

Patch sat down with Larson at the beginning of the year to learn what Birmingham students and parents can expect from the district this year and beyond.

Adapting to a changing economy

With public school districts feeling the money crunch across Michigan, Birmingham has been no exception to restructuring and cutbacks.

Last spring, the district made up for a $6.6 million deficit by approving a transfer from the district's fund equity account. The process included setting aside a board policy that stipulates how much the district can withdraw from its fund equity; then-board President Lori Soifer said the decision was made in order to avoid teacher layoffs and cutting back on student programs.

And just as the district avoided layoffs last spring, Larson said the district has added to the list of student programs and classes this year. However, everyone has had to adapt this year, whether through restructuring or sharing services.

“We realize how much restructuring has impacted other parts of the district,” Larson said. “There are less people doing more sharing, (there are) more efficiencies.”

However, the district is still coping with a . Larson said the district is spending down its capital projects fund, which is used to purchase or maintain buildings and other facilities. , the district eliminated $3.6 million in transfers from the general fund to the capital projects fund, meaning the fund currently has no income source.

“In a year or two, we’re not going to be able to (spend that money),” Larson said. “This will cause some tension because we have a certain standard.”

Emphasis on technology

One area in which the district has invested heavily this year is in technology, Larson said. , a “pretty profound” step that directly affects what teachers can do, he said.

In addition, nearly 400 teachers have signed up to receive , while more will be receiving interactive video projects and learner-response systems as part of the district’s push to promote greater interactivity in the classroom.

In total, the district spent $2.9 million out of its capital projects fund to pay for the new technology.

“We are shaping kids in their critical thinking skills (so that they) know what it is to be a global citizen,” Larson said. “We’re better equipping kids to be self-directed.”

Learning from racism

After several incidents of racism rocked last spring, Larson said the district is hoping to use the experience as an opportunity for growth.

In April, Courtney Thomas, then a Seaholm senior, , naming five African-American students — including himself. In late August, .

The incident was only one of several racist incidents at the high school, including more messages addressed to African-American students and a teacher. District spokeswoman Marcia Wilkinson said the district continues to investigate the incidents, though no new evidence has come forward during the summer.

New Seaholm Principal Deana Lancaster , and Larson said the incidents should be used as an “opportunity to reflect.”

“We’re a small microcosm of the community, and society, at large,” Larson said. “It’s important to celebrate diversity (in order to) prepare students to be global students of character.”

Hoping for support of schools millage

Birmingham schools will place a , and Larson hopes the community comes out to support its school system — just as it’s always done.

“The community has always been supportive of our millages,” Larson said. “But it’s critical that people get out and vote.”

The operating millage would levy up to 7.98 mills to fund the district’s general operating expenses — meaning residents pay $7.98 per $1,000 in taxable value of their homes. In total, the funds raised by the millage will provide $6.6 million for the district in 2011-12, or 6 percent of the district’s operating revenues.

The current millage will expire June 30, 2012.

This is a zero percent tax increase for Birmingham homeowners — merely a renewal of what they’re already paying. The last operating millage was renewed in November 2007 with 74 percent of voters voting yes.