The challenge
Facing decreases in state aid funding and declining enrollment in grade school levels, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools (WLCS) was under a tight deadline to come up with ideas to reduce its $24 million deficit. The district had to provide recommendations to the school board prior to the end of the fiscal year (June 2011).
The solution
WLCS retained Plante Moran Realpoint (PMR), formerly Plante Moran Cresa, to gather information for the stakeholders. PMR teamed with the Michigan Leadership Institute and the district’s architect to review existing operational, facility, and financial conditions before providing recommendations to the board that would help reduce the deficit.
The benefit
The board reviewed eight different options presented as a result of PMR's facility assessment, ultimately choosing the option ranked highest by the community, the administration, and online surveys. The recommendations also provided the district with a long-term facility plan.
