Last year, the Michigan Department of Treasury declared potential financial stress in the Delton Kellogg School District. A Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) administrative review recommended the district restore it’s fund balance to five percent of revenue by the end of the 2017-2918 school year.
Based on the district’s 2015 financial audit, the DK District met the recommendation by ending the fiscal year with a 5.2 percent general fund balance as a percent of total revenue. In December, 2016, the KISD recommended Delton be removed from the review process. The state treasurer agreed and determined that the potential stress no longer exists.
Delton Kellogg Interim Superintendent Carl Schoessel said the goal was accomplished a year and a half early mainly by two things; a dramatic increase in student enrollment and a “wonderful staff” that agreed to a budget modification that included a wage freeze. “There were other things, but those are the two major reasons,” he said. “We have a good team here, and this was definitely a team effort.”
The Barry Intermediate School District helped the Delton Kellogg District by agreeing to contract with KISD Business Manager Mike Haggarty to work with school officials. “Mike was very helpful to us,” Schoessel said.
Board of Education President Jim McManus added his thoughts: “The Board of Education is thrilled that we are no longer on the Financial Stress List and very thankful to the administration, teachers and staff for working together to help resolve the issue.”
