12/14/09 - This is a week like no other in the history of the Brighton Area School district. Tonight a deficit elimination plan for the 2010-2011 school year will be submitted to the school board that will result in a 25% cut in the budget. Once that’s approved by the board, it will be submitted to the state Education Department tomorrow. So what does a 25% cut look like? By the numbers it represents a nearly $15 million reduction from a $57 million dollar budget. In human terms in means the layoff of 186 employees and in literal concrete terms it will mean the closing of an elementary school. But that’s just the beginning and school officials say the public needs to be prepared for what’s coming. Superintendent Greg Gary said that the depth of problem means nothing could be spared. The deficit plan is mandated by the state because Brighton became a deficit district last June when it reported a $2.4 million budget shortfall. If drastic cuts aren’t made, that deficit could go as high as $16 million by the end of next school year. Gray, who appeared Sunday on a special edition of WHMI’s Viewpoint, says the district is only able to function right now because of low-interest loans from the state. While most of the cuts can be achieved by the board alone, those that will increase class size and reduce teacher’s pay, will require cooperation from employee unions, who have yet to respond publicly. Tonight’s school board meeting starts at 7pm in the BECC building on Church Street. (JK)