The Dearborn Public School district has produced a 15 minute video that provides general information about the district budget and outlines the projected $10.5 million budget deficit for the 2009-10 school year.

The video, featuring Supt. Brian Whiston and Business Services Director Bob Cipriano, can be viewed directly by visiting the district website: www.dearbornschools.org and clicking on the “D-Tube” screen located on the front page. The program will also run on the district’s cable channel on the following dates and times:

Wednesday      January 21                    8:30 am

Thursday          January 22                    1:00 pm

Saturday           January 24                    1:00 pm

Sunday             January 25                    1:00 pm

Throughout the months of January and February Whiston, Cipriano and other district administrators will be visiting with staff members at each school to deliver the budget presentation in person, answer any questions, and listening to cost saving suggestions.

Parent groups or community organizations interested in scheduling a live presentation or wishing to provide input can contact the Superintendent’s Office at 827-3020.

This is the eighth straight year that the district is looking to make budget reductions. District administrators have been discussing a budget plan for the 2009-10 school year since late November and are scheduled to bring a balance budget plan to the Board of Education by the end of February.

The Board will have time to review and discuss the plan before making any final decisions. State law requires the Board of Education to have a balanced budget for the 2009-10 school year in place by June 30, 2009.

A presentation by the Dearborn Police Department will highlight the newly formed Crowley Park Neighborhood Association’s community awareness meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 21.

The meeting takes place at the Dearborn Public Schools Long Elementary School, 3100 Westwood, in the cafeteria.  All are invited to attend.

Following the presentation, residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the neighborhood association and its benefits and receive information about how to volunteer to serve as a block captain, work on the newsletter, organize events and run for positions on the board.

The boundaries of the association are south of Michigan Avenue, north of Dartmouth Street, west of Telegraph Road and east of Gulley Road. 

For more information about Dearborn’s many neighborhood associations, call Dearborn City Hall at 943-2216.

The public is invited to a charity hockey game pitting a team of Dearborn police officers and firefighters against Detroit Red Wings alumni and current Red Wing Chris Chelios.

The game takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center (DISC), 14900 Ford Road.

Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the door; children ages five and under are free. The event will also feature raffles of sports memorabilia and autograph signings by active and alumni Red Wing players.

All proceeds will benefit the Dearborn Firefighters Burn Drive charity organization and the Dearborn Police Charities organization.