By Andrew Cluley
Ann Arbor, MI – Despite an enrollment decrease of 64 students, the Ann Arbor school district is increasing staffing levels at a cost of 770-thousand dollars.
District officials say they're paying for the additional nine-point-five full-time positions through one-point-three million dollars in deferred tax revenue from last year. Also, nearly half of the increases are related to special education needs, and much of those costs will be re-imbursed.
Deputy Superintendent Robert Allen says the distrit's fund equity will also increase this year based on the final audit from the 2005-2006 school year. Allen credits a combination of higher interest rates and cost reductions for that increase.