Dearest reader,

🔎 WHERE IN THE WORLD IS MAINKA? 🌎

Well, well, well. It seems Novi Community School District has found its way back into Lady B's ledger.

Six messages today, dear readers. SIX!

All about an August news article concerning teacher buyouts and possible layoffs.

Lady B had to check her calendar. Did we somehow travel backward in time?

For those who may have missed it, Lady B investigated Novi extensively back in August. We examined administrative spending, staffing, compensation, a projected $3.73 million budget deficit, and the district's proposal to offer eligible teachers $60,000 buyouts.

Then came the failed Oakland County enhancement millage, followed by additional financial adjustments.

So, what happened next?

According to information recently shared with Lady B:

📚 No teachers were ultimately laid off.

📚 Some educators were reassigned to classrooms.

📚 Some administrative positions were reportedly eliminated or left unfilled.

And the explanation for the changes?

Lady B was told it was simply a matter of "tightening some things up."

My goodness. That's quite a bit of tightening.

But there's another curious little development.

Before today's flood of messages about Novi, Lady B had already heard from multiple individuals that Superintendent Ben Mainka had been unavailable recently.

Now, Lady B has absolutely no idea whether Mr. Mainka is on vacation, attending to other business, or simply enjoying a little peace and quiet.

And frankly, everyone deserves time away from work.

But with so many questions circulating about Novi's finances, Lady B couldn't resist borrowing a little inspiration from an old childhood favorite.

Where in the world is Mainka? 🔎🌎

Perhaps that's a question for another day.

Because what Lady B would really like to locate is an updated financial accounting.

How many teachers accepted the buyouts?

What was the final cost?

Which administrative positions were eliminated or left vacant?

How much money did those changes save?

And how does Novi's current financial outlook compare with what taxpayers were told in August?

To be clear, Lady B is pleased to hear that involuntary teacher layoffs were avoided. That's an important outcome for educators and students.

But the financial questions remain.

Novi's October 15 board meeting includes a budget update, so perhaps some of those answers are coming.

Until then, Lady B will keep her magnifying glass pointed at the ledger.

Not anyone's vacation itinerary.

With receipts and respect,
Lady Budgetdown 🖋�

#LadyBudgetdown #WheresMainka #NoviCommunitySchools #MichiganSchools #SchoolFunding #Transparency #Accountability #FollowTheMoney