By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG -- As each principal or department head presented their educational plans and budget numbers at a special meeting of the Edwardsburg Public Schools Board of Education, it looks as though the district is in good shape for the coming year, without sacrificing programs and staying "educational friendly."
Presently the budget reflects less than $30,000 deficit. Without accurate student counts the February 2003 number of 2,188.5 students was used. Revenues of $15,550,258 are expected, with expenses of $15,579,235.
The only staffing change is adjusting the athletic director to a full time position. Benefits include a 12 percent increase in health insurance for the teaching staff and a 17.5 percent for the balance of personnel. Retirement remains at 12.99 percent. Very minimal capital purchases are designated.
The board was expected to adopt the 2003-2004 budget at its regular meeting on Wednesday evening. Also expected was the board's decision to continue to exercise its option to opt in to the Schools of Choice. Presently about 100 students attend Edwardsburg Schools through this program. "The expected residential growth hasn't happened," said Superintendent Sherman Ostrander. "The numbers are not fluctuating."
Resignations by three teachers, each with 33 years with the Edwardsburg School system, were presented to the board Wednesday: Jan Micinski, high school physical education teacher; Patricia Rezutko, Middle School physical education teacher; and Gerald Wright, middle school sixth grade. Also Lori Hoese, high school math teacher, also turned in a resignation.
A program for teachers next year will enable them to take graduate level classes at Western University in Edwardsburg. Another option for the teachers is to take classes at Andrews University in Berrien Springs.
In budget cuts, a decision to lease, instead of purchasing new computers, will not only reduce costs in half, but it will provide more computers, which will be replaced every five years and then can be purchased for $1.
From the transportation department, the dispatcher's hours will be reduced from four to two hours, with director Bill Rauch filling in. No buses are scheduled to be replaced until the year 2005, Rauch added.
He was praised by the board for being pro-active with his bus replacement schedule. His excellent fleet was also complimented by Dowagiac Schools which used some of the Edwardsburg buses after vandalism to its buses shut down school for a day.
Scott Moellenberndt, principal at the Intermediate School, told the board there are 70 students interested in fifth grade band, which will be taught by two instructors.
He estimates 326 students next year and is adding library and foreign language. Kenneth Jankowski was to instruct the board last night on the foreign language program. Intermurals which were added this year will continue, Moellenberndt added.
At the middle school, Tony Koontz said 28 students are involved in after school tutoring in math and language arts. Some changes coming next year include all sixth grade teachers teaching language arts. Also the students will have the same math teacher for two years.
At the high school, there are three major goals, Principal David Zech told the board of education. First, is compliance with No Child Left Behind, which every building is working toward. Second, the high school is in the next cycle of north Central accreditation. Third, he said, they are looking at alternative education.
The athletic budget is backed up with contributions from the boosters. "Every superintendent is bringing to their board," Ostrander said, decisions on whether to cut sports. They will have to "wait and see," he added.