School District Overspending for Last Nine Years Keeps Getting More Funding Per Pupil [Michigan Capitol Confidential]

School District Overspending for Last Nine Years Keeps Getting More Funding Per Pupil [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:
"Clintondale Community Schools has been in continuous deficit-spending mode dating back to 2005-06.
The Macomb County district was not contrite in explaining nine consecutive years of being unable to balance its budget.
On a form required by Michigan Department of Education, the school district’s administration defiantly gives this reason for its failure: “Inadequate funding and declining enrollment.”
And in a recent Detroit News story, Ken Austin, the president of the district’s teachers union local said, “We would likely not be in the current position if it were not for the many huge cuts to school funding that districts have been forced to endure for many years.”
That’s their story, but the facts don’t support it.
The declining enrollment part is true enough, but last year the district got more money per student than nine years ago, not less.
...However, like many districts, skyrocketing pension costs have eaten up much of the increase. In 2007-08, Clintondale had 488 employees on its payroll.
The district’s required annual contribution to the state-run school employee retirement system was $2.8 million..."