We are on the front lines of property values in Grand Rapids real estate and were
aware that this day would come. We have seen property values fall from 15-30%
in the past 3 years for local communities. ( Read our Blog post about home values)
The effects of this devaluation still has shock value for many living in
our local areas. We have watched poorer school districts struggle to
allocate funding with the financial news from Lansing being dire and
changing constantly. It has now started to hit our more affluent areas
and these parents are confused and angry.
We attended the Forest Hills Superintendant’s meeting last fall about
a $10 million dollar projected shortfall in their 2010-2011 school budget.
They are not getting any definite answers from the state on what cuts
will be until after they set their annual budget ( This is truly bizarre but
the state government runs its own show).
Both East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills have fixed costs because of
teacher and staff contracts. Our understanding is that these are about
70% of the budget in Forest Hills. [See FHPS Funding Facts } Dan Behm,
the Forest Hills Superintendant told our group of concerned citizens
that if he eliminated transportation and sports, that there would
still be $3 million shortfall and he would have to look for another job
because of angry parents.
We don’t offer any solutions, but we do need to look at all items on
the budget. Nothing is sacrosanct, not teacher salaries, retirement
or healthcare. The same belt-tightening and elimination of non-essential
items that has affected business and personal budgets for the last 3 years
and longer in the state of Michigan is going to reduce funds for public services
in our state.
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in
West Michigan. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
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Terry and Bonnie
It's said to see budget cuts in schools; sad to think even kids education is compromised at times.
We are all going to have to sacrifice in tough times.