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Decision Delayed on Youth Facility: Oakland County Wants More Cuts

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press

Jun. 7--Some Oakland County commissioners want to stop giving the Waterford School District nearly $500,000 a year to educate abused, neglected and criminally charged children and teenagers at Children's Village.

"They did something wrong. Should they get the Cadillac of education?" asked Commissioner Christine Long, R-Commerce Township.

The State of Michigan provides most of the $2.1-million annual cost for the educational services that Waterford provides for Children's Village. Oakland County picks up the rest because Children's Village is a county-run program. County judges send most of the children to the program. "We're required by law to have the school," said Thomas Gordon, director of the county's Health and Human Services department. "Should we deprive these kids ... just because they happen to be here?"

Commissioners refused Monday to approve a contract with Waterford until the district and county administration cut their budget more. Since the contract expires July 1, the delay puts summer school at Children's Village in jeopardy, said Thomas Wiseman, assistant superintendent at Waterford schools.

Commissioners were upset that the per-pupil cost at Children's Village is much higher than in a traditional classroom -- $14,188 compared with about $7,400 for students in the Waterford district. But 54% of the students at Children's Village are classified as special education. A lower teacher-to-student ratio is required than in a regular classroom.

"This is not a callous decision. It's an economic decision," said Commissioner Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills. "I feel for my kids in Pontiac. We're not subsidizing those kids" with $500,000.

But Commissioner Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake Township, said educating these children is a moral obligation.

The General Government Committee voted 7-3 to postpone a decision on the contract until Monday. Members asked for more budget cuts, which might include the elimination of driver's education and summer school at the facility, which would save $64,000 a year.

Contact KATHLEEN GRAY at 313-223-4407 or gray@freepress.com.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Detroit Free Press

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: Detroit Free Press

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