Just about the only close election in Michigan primary, at least in Macomb County, was the vote on the Romeo Community Schools Sinking Fund. There will be smiles in the district offices today as they’ve managed to get their $8 million to balance an unbalanced budget.

The vote was close. Actually, if you look at the detailed election results you will see that it was voted down in the majority of precincts. In Addison, Armada, Ray, Shelby, and Addison the majority voted “No.” There was a tie in Oakland County. In Bruce Township the measure passed by a mere 100 votes. It was in Washington Township that the measure did best. Being that Washington is the most populous, a victory there ensured a victory to the Sinking Fund. (Note that for next time!)

My question from Monday evening remains the same: Will the Board of Education begin today on a 2008-2009 budget that includes regular maintenance so that in 2012 they will not need to renew the sinking fund?

As I saw on Monday night, this is a joke of a question to ask. Not enough people are asking the question and certainly the majority of the board wants to continue on business as usual. When they think cuts they want to cut minor expenses like sports, arts, and the library while 85% of the spending (salaries/benefits) always remain the same or increase.

Yet, as the last person to make public comment so vividly said Monday night, “How can you continue on with business as usual when the district continues to see their proficiencies decline?” (To answer that question you just have to follow the money trail.) We hear about high MEAP scores ’til the cows come home. But do we hear why the district is receiving C’s and D’s from the State?

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