The new budgets
The new budget for LCHS has been on display for the public to
view, as per the guidelines the board has to follow. There were no
comments from the public as to anything on the budget itself.
Superintendent Robert Bagby said that general state aid is going
to be prorated this year at 89.16 percent. As a result, LCHS has
lost $186,260. Bagby had received notice earlier in the day that
special education personnel claims and private facility claims will
have reduced rates as well, resulting in further loss of money from
the state.
Bagby commented that despite the hardship, LCHS is one of only
two schools with balanced budgets.
Costs in the upcoming 2013 budget include:
-
Educational fund
-- $7,443, 433 will be spent out of $10,688,201. This fund
includes items such as salaries, benefit costs, supplies and
purchased services.
-
Operations and
maintenance -- $1,074,974 will be spent out of $1,794,098. This
fund is used to maintain the facility and the surrounding school
grounds.
-
Transportation --
$485,988 will be spent out of $831,005. This fund is for bus
purchasing, maintenance, driver salaries and other
vehicle-related expenses.
-
Capital projects
-- While there are no projects coming up for 2013, this fund
will have only $180,000, which could disappear quickly,
depending on what is being built. This fund pays for remodeling
projects.
-
Tort fund --
$295,035 will be spent out of $558,593. This fund is for legal
expenditures.
Board president Jim Mammen said the school looks to be in good
financial shape.
"There are school districts out there that have cut programs, cut
classes. Fortunately, we've been able to maintain everything and
still reduce the tax levy," he said.
LTEC director Bret Hitchings also presented a balanced budget for
that program. LTEC will not have to pay the costs of building a
house for the building trades courses this year, which will save
money. Hitchings also told the board that the house built last year
by the students has been sold.
Hitchings reported that the enrollment for the building trades
course is up from last year. The two houses that the students will
be remodeling have been tested for asbestos and radiation and passed
the tests. Soon the work can begin, after proper safety is covered
in class.
Both budgets were approved by the board.
Other business
The board approved the employment of
the following new employees:
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Approval was given for an employee to take leave under the Family
Medical Leave Act, and volunteers for the upcoming fall play were
approved.
Vice Principal Rhonda Hyde reported that LCHS has enrolled more
students than were lost at the end of last year. The enrollment as
of Aug. 20 was 874 students, including several who have moved in
from out of state and a set of triplets.
Principal Todd Poelker reported that the first day of classes
went well. There are seven new teachers this year. Poelker is
confident they will do well.
Poelker also reported on the shift from three lunch periods to
two, starting this year. The lunch periods, while full on student
numbers, still operate smoothly. Poelker and Bagby expect there
should not be too many problems, other than crowded tables.
Sam Knox reported that the athletic department is in need of an
assistant tennis coach. The new tennis courts should be finished by
the end of the week, and the new track is finished. Knox said the
department has plans to keep vehicles off the track in order to
prevent the type of damage that happened to the old track.
A presentation will be put together for the faculty concerning
offering classes for local senior citizens. Interest was raised last
month after Bagby received phone calls from multiple elderly people
wanting to know if LCHS offered courses outside of the standard
class times for adults.
Finally, LCHS is awaiting approval from the Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System, or SEVIS. Bagby met with Chinese school
administrators, gave them a tour of LCHS and showed them the
curriculum.
"One of the administrators said if we get approval, he will
definitely send his daughter here. He was really impressed with what
we offer the upper-track students," Bagby said.
Those present at the meeting were Jim Mammen, board president;
Reatha Owen; Jim Allen; Mark Aughton; Burgandy Henderson; Marianne
Krusz; Robert Bagby, LCHS superintendent; Todd Poelker, principal;
Rhonda Hyde, vice principal; Bret Hitchings, LTEC director; and Sam
Knox, activities director.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
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