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Board Meeting 02 17 09 District Budget
Cut The Chillicothe R-2 school board has unanimously approved budget cuts in the 2009-2010 spending plan totaling $478,616. The action, which took place Tuesday night during the regular February meeting at district headquarters, followed by remarks by Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith. She said the cuts were proposed in an effort toward building a budget for the school year with a $200,000 or less spending deficit in accordance with the decision made by the board in December. Smith noted that because 75 percent of the district’s budget is in personnel, a large portion of the reductions centers on the consolidation of classes and the elimination of some staffing positions. However, she said that after the spending reductions, she is predicting a spending deficit for the 2009-2010 year of $189,021. Specifically, the board approved the consolidation of a high school math position, a high school English position and a high school business position. Those courses will be taught at the Grand River Technical School by instructors there. A high school special education teacher’s position has also been cut because, Smith said, there are now fewer high school students who now qualify for the program. A part-time high school social studies position will also be eliminated. The cuts will also eliminate two middle school alternative school positions. Those cuts, Smith said, were made based on class size. (There are currently five middle school students in the program) Two part-time positions — a middle school social studies position and an elementary art position will also be eliminated. Four non-certified positions — a teacher’s aide position and three cook positions — will also be cut under the new spending plan. The elimination of those positions, Smith says, will lead to reductions totaling $342,216. According to Smith, the consolidations and eliminations will not likely make a big impact on the students. She noted that the proposal takes into account upcoming staff retirements and staff members who are officially "retired" but are working as part-time teachers to help the district. "Building administrators worked with me to realign positions to create the maximum course offerings for students and to reduce building budgets in ways that would least affect student learning," Smith said. And, while some classes will be consolidated, the sizes of classrooms will not exceed the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recommendations, Smith said. The superintendent noted that the spending reductions take into account estimated state and federal aid. If the district does not receive as much state and federal aid as expected, Smith said more staffing reductions could be called for. Also, in an effort to reduce spending deficit for the 2009-2010 school year, the board unanimously approved fee increases for athletic passes and facility rentals which will amount to an estimated $10,500. "Our expenses continue to increase in the athletic programs, making the fee increase necessary," Smith told board members. Fall and winter season sports passes for R-2 athletic events will be $5 higher - $30 for an individual and $50 for a family. Combination passes will increase $10 in some cases and $5 in others. Student passes will go up $10 to $40. The increases will go into effect at the start of the next school year. In discussing the facility rental fee increase, Smith said the district will ease the buildings out based on the hours they are in use. Additional charges will be assessed for amenities at the facilities such as the grand piano at the Gary Dickinson Performing Arts Center ($50 per day); cafeteria tables ($10 each per day); covering for the gymnasium floor $100); and custodian ($23 per hour for a four hour minimum). Over four hours will be charged contract hours duration plus three additional hours. She said the increase would go into effect at the start of the district's fiscal year, July 1, 2009. The rental fee will also include a $300 deposit by the renter. According to high school principal Tony Perry, the facility rental fee increase reflects the district's desire to ensure quality facilities available for public use. He noted that the rate increases are similar to those charged by other districts of similar size. And, Perry noted, in some cases, the new rental fees may actually save people money, depending on the duration of the facility's use. He explained that instead of charging non-profit organizations $175 to rent a facility for four or less hours, the district will charge them $125. "We believe this policy will make things more fair and equitable for everybody," Perry said. The remainder of the budget cuts leading to the 2.3 percent reduction in the R-2 2009-2010 budget, Smith said, come from reductions in building budgets, contracted services and one program reduction (wrestling cheerleaders). In the executive session following the regular board meeting the board accepted a resignation from Andy Grooms, high school vocal instructor; and Laura Claypole, Central School teacher's aide. The board also approved a reduction in force, eliminating the position currently held by Terry Coult, high school math teacher; and, because of the financial condition of the district, did not renew contracts for Mindy Swarts, CMS alternative school teacher; Margaret Vance, part-time arts instructor at Central School (retired); and Jim Radel, part-time social studies teacher at the middle school (retired). Board members also offered contracts to all the building administrators, Pam Fetter, director of special services; and R-2 assistant superintendent Wade Schroeder. District Moves to
Streamline School Copiers In an effort to streamline the district’s technology and reduce costs, the school district will now be leasing its copiers from one company at a cost of $63,600 a year for five years. The Chillicothe R-2 board unanimously approved the bid recommendation made by Superintendent Dr. Linda Gray Smith Tuesday night during the regular February meeting held at district headquarters. The approved bid, from Pro Serve, of St. Joseph, Mo., is for 11 Savin copiers and begins in March. “These copiers are reliable, their quick and the copies are good,” Smith told board members. Copier bids were sought in an effort to consolidate the district’s copier leases, increase productivity and decrease the district’s overall per page print cost, Smith explained. She noted that, following board approval, the district will be upping its number of copiers by three and spending almost $3,500 less every year for a total savings of over $17,000 over five years. With the new copiers, Smith said, the district will begin to reduce the number of ink jet printers being used district wide. Smith explained that the ink jet cost per page can be anywhere from 17 cents on up while the price per page from a copy machine will be less than 1 cent per page. She also said the overall per page costs of what is produced each year from every printer and copier will be reduced. Considering that almost 5 million copies are produced within the school district every year, Smith said the switch to one leasing company is necessary. She also noted that when the lease on all of the district’s copiers is up in five years, the machines will all be replaced at the same time. Smith said that she recommended Pro Serve after reviewing references from like-sized districts, the location of companies, the type of copiers, the response service times, and each company’s technical support reputation. Other companies who submitted bids were:
In other business, the board approved the creation of a new teacher position at Dewey School due to increased enrollment. The position, Smith said, would be paid through class-size reduction federal funds. The board also declared the following district property on Bryan Street as surplus: the vacant lot at 1304, the Pink House currently housing Diapers & Diplomas at 1303; the one-story building just west of the Pink House at 1315; and the two-story building at 1317. |
