By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
A second budget revision adopted by the Dowagiac Board of Education Monday night shows a $407,145 projected general fund deficit on $22,411,348 (+$31,967) revenue and $22,818,493 (+$176,443) expenditures. The final revision this fiscal year will occur in June.
Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Hal Davis reported at Dowagiac Middle School that revenue increases were due mostly to greater than expected interest earnings and Medicaid Outreach funds.
Expenses were increased by the same amounts as state and federal grant revenues.
Other expenses increased mainly from the $145,245 teacher's contract settlement, new state mandated fingerprinting costs of $10,000 and $15,000 consultant fees for the boundary study.
Davis emphasized that this revision does not include any provisions for a possible year-end pro-ration of the district's state aid foundation allowance, which is still possible for 2006-07.
Athletic and food service funds remain balanced at $464,856 and $846,238, respectively.
Food service received a breakfast program supplemental payment that increased revenues.
Under personnel, the school board renewed 15 administrative contracts, including Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Hal Davis, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dawn Conner, Justus Gage Principal Bob Franz, Dowagiac Middle School Principal Mike Frazier, Union High School Principal Paul Hartsig, Sister Lakes Principal Marcy Hendress, Alternative Education Director Larry Schmidt, McKinley Principal Kay Tularak, Athletic Director Greg Younger, DMS Assistant Principal and Student Advocate John Pasternak, DUHS Student Advocate Randy Yoder, DUHS Assistant Principal Kelly Millin, Patrick Hamilton Principal Lin Mallory, Maintenance Supervisor Dave Daniels and Transportation Supervisor Kevin Kelm.
Suellen Gause, the secretary at Justus Gage, was granted a leave.
Two May 8 school board candidates addressed the board, Howard Hall and Tonia Allard Hoy.
"One thing I don't support is privatizing custodians or messing with the bus drivers," Hall said. "They're not numbers, they're families. It's easy to look at paper and think it's the way to go, but before you vote, look at these people back here," who attended wearing yellow shirts in a show of solidarity and carrying "I'm not for sale" signs with which they picketed before the meeting started. The cafeteria went dark momentarily as he finished speaking.
Hoy said, "I do not agree with the bus cuts which could be a possibility, and I definitely don't agree with the custodians and the maintenance."
Union President Roy Freeman said of privatization, "Look at the other communities you're comparing us to. Gobles has five custodians that are privatized. It wasn't for quality of work, it was because they didn't show up to work. We don't have that problem here. We do quality work and we are here all the time. We have people who support us in the community and they do not like the idea of privatizing whatsoever. The safety of your children, the cleanliness of the schools, you're throwing it all away if that's the decision you make … I hope we have a chance to get through this hurdle and to continue the good working relationship that we've had.
"There was a poll in the Dowagiac paper on privatizing – 93 percent of the people who responded to that said no. There was also a (letter) that asked that other aspects be looked at, such as administrator cuts. When we make a decision, let's make it based on all aspects – not just one. Let's not try to balance the budget on the backs of 16 people."
Potential privatizing savings in six bids the board reviewed in February ranged from $101,566 to $242,435.
The board approved the summer school program for 2007.
First reading was given to policies for third party sub-contracting for the professional staff and for the support staff.
According to these proposed policies, "These contracts may result in continuing the services of some of the district's exemplary employees who have retired and indicate a desire to work. While the board recognizes that these third party arrangements are not intended to be for an extended period of time, it is also aware that this type of arrangement can produce financial benefits to the district as well as the service provider."
Kincheloe 7-year-old Hannah Ruff was recognized by the board for her recent state award from the Council for Exceptional Children.
DUHS senior Melissa Johnson reported on student activities at the high school, including today's National Honor Society blood drive and this weekend's musical, "South Pacific."