MONTROSE -- NBC25 told you last week about massive budget cuts proposed in the Montrose Community School District. Forty-five staff members have been given pink slips, including every bus driver. This comes as the district works to balance the budget.
Tuesday, the organization PETA, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, sent out a press release saying, “PETA will pay the district hard cash to help counter its budget crisis.”
PETA put the district on the spot, sending out a press release as it made the offer.
NBC25 called Montrose Community Schools Superintendent Mark Kleinhans to find out if the district would take the money. He said he would look into it.
He called to find out how much PETA was offering. He told them NBC25’s crew was with him, doing a story about their offer. He needed to know what the offer was. PETA then refused to tell him what the offer was because the media, who they had notified of the situation, was in the room.
“If they were to give us $100 per pupil, that would be great,” said Superintendent Kleinhans.
In the meantime, Superintendent Kleinhans says the district desperately needs more money than the state is expected to give.
Governor Rick Snyder announced a plan to reduce cuts to schools by about $200. However half of that reduction in cuts requires schools make major changes. They must bid out services, consolidate services with other schools, make employees contribute more to health insurance, become policy holders on their employee insurance, or meet certain academic standards.
Kleinhans says the severe cuts aren’t necessary, that Michigan’s leaders simply need to prioritize education.
“We're going to have a balanced budget ultimately, but this is going to have a negative impact on kids in Montrose and across the state,” said Kleinhans.
While PETA refused to explain their offer when called on, they did later call back. The organization said it would be willing to pay a total of $1,000 for two ads.
