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February 18, 2003TC talks consolidationNorthport offers plan to mergeBy VANESSA McCRAYRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Northport Public Schools has asked Traverse City Area Public Schools to consider merging the two districts, giving Northport access to more programming and increasing Traverse City's state aid payment by as much as $1,300 per pupil. Northport Superintendent Richard Cross and Traverse City Superintendent James Pavelka have secured the approval of their respective school boards to discuss the possibility of the two districts consolidating, annexing or in some way sharing programs. Cross said he decided to approach Pavelka with the idea because of looming state cuts this year and a possible 11 percent reduction next year in state aid. "When I stare another 11 percent cut in the face, I have to wonder in a small community like ours if we will be able to maintain a good, viable program," Cross said. When Cross became superintendent two years ago, he cut the Northport teaching staff by a third, from 27 teachers to 18. While he said the district was able to maintain much of its programming at that time, he isn't sure the 275-student district could survive another round of "Draconian cuts." Another motivating concern is that Northport can't afford curriculum support for its teachers and thorough assessment for its students, Cross said. A merger with Traverse City would bring with it all the resources of the 11,000-student district. "As I understand it, it would enhance some of the class offerings we would be able to provide our kids - that would probably be the main benefit," said James Browning, secretary of the Northport school board. In Traverse City, such a merger could mean a jump in its state foundation allowance from this year's $6,700 per student to $8,000. Northport currently receives $9,047 per pupil. State law reads that if two districts consolidate by the end of this fiscal year, or June 30, the new school system would receive the larger of the two foundation allowances up to $8,000 per pupil. Gerald Morris, president of the Traverse City Area Public Schools board, said with his district facing $4.2 million in state cuts next year all revenue-generating ideas are worth pursuing. "We should act as a region, and as much as possible we should share resources," he said. Pavelka said the districts have several options to consider, from consolidating - which would mean the elimination of both districts' school boards and the formation of a new board and district - to simply sharing transportation, maintenance, food service and teachers. "We are deeply concerned that people don't look at this and say, 'They (Traverse City Area Public Schools) are taking over Northport schools," Pavelka said. "The very difficult times we are moving into are going to mean creative problem solving." Pavelka and Cross said it was too early to know how exactly the consolidation or sharing process might work. In any case, Northport Public Schools would continue to offer kindergarten though high school classes in its current building. In order for the districts to consolidate, voters in both school systems would have to approve the measure. The two superintendents plan to meet in the next few days to discuss the range of possibilities and to schedule a joint meeting of the two school boards.
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