Dearest reader,
Lady Budgetdown's stroll through Onsted Community Schools isn't quite finished yet. 📜
We already looked at the district's shrinking General Fund cushion.
Now let's look at what Onsted did about it.
In April 2026, the district undertook a significant administrative restructuring, saying its existing administrative structure was no longer financially sustainable.
Six administrative positions were eliminated.
Four administrative contracts were nonrenewed.
Five newly configured administrative positions were created.
And the district projected that the new structure would produce approximately $280,000 in recurring annual savings.
That's a substantial number.
But here's where Lady Budgetdown reaches for the spectacles.
At least two administrators whose contracts were nonrenewed subsequently remained with the district in newly configured administrative positions.
Today, Phil Stark is listed as Secondary Principal & Safety Coordinator, while Dyan Biringer is listed as Secondary Principal & Curriculum Coordinator. The district also lists Laura Klutsarits as Athletic Director & Graduation Coach under the new structure.
And to be clear: there is nothing inherently improper about restructuring positions, moving existing employees into new roles, or hiring different people.
That's not Lady Budgetdown's question.
The question is much simpler:
Where does the $280,000 in annual savings actually come from?
What was the total salary-and-benefit cost of the old administrative structure?
What is the total salary-and-benefit cost of the new structure?
How much of the projected savings comes from eliminating positions?
How much comes from lower salaries or benefits?
Are some costs now being charged to different funds or grants?
Or were duties simply consolidated among fewer people?
Those questions matter because administrative positions weren't the only cuts being made while Onsted worked through its financial problems.
And when a district tells its community that restructuring administration will save approximately $280,000 every year, Lady Budgetdown thinks the community should be able to see the arithmetic behind that number.
Maybe the calculation is perfectly straightforward.
If it is, even better.
Show us the ledger.
With receipts and respect. 📜
#OnstedCommunitySchools #OnstedSchools #LenaweeCounty #SchoolFinance #SchoolAdministration #FiscalTransparency #TaxpayerTransparency #MichiganSchools #LadyBudgetdown