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Supt. Kathy Elliott proposed ways to the Panorama school board Monday evening to bring the activity fund out of a perpetual deficit.
She said athletic costs are the main reason for the deficit. However, unlike most schools, she said athletics here have not received revenue from concession stand sales. Because of this, she recommended at least part of these funds go toward athletics.
Other activities that have received concession funding may have to scale back or have fund raisers, she said. Two candidates for less concession money might be, for example, the prom where $18,000 was spent or $10,000 senior trip.
The activity fund includes a number of activities and draws revenue from non-tax sources unless bailed out with money from the general fund.
In the future, the concession stands will be managed by district resident Laurie Mills. All revenue will go into the activity fund and then allotted. Mills will be paid $3,000 by the school and a like amount by the Panorama Booster Club.
Also, athletic director Shane Arp will now be in charge of budgeting activity fund resources.
Construction - Supt. Elliott said while utility line work continues, most is complete along with work on the grounds as the school awaits the general, mechanical and electrical bids on August 20 for the remodeling and buildings addition part of the project. Contracts are scheduled to be awarded August 24. Additional bids for food service and auditorium seating will be received September 3.
Various construction costs or bills were approved: $37,192 for a rock base under the paving $19,912 for bus entrance approach and sidewalk work, $5,456 for MidAmerican Energy to relocate gas service at the elementary and $99,373 to Spring Lake Construction for completed dirt and concrete work.
Elliott was given the go-ahead to check on the cost of two new west doors that open into the commons area and are now the main entrances.
Dates - School opens Monday, Aug. 24. The school-wide open house is August 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Workshop days are August 18 21. The teachers welcome breakfast, sponsored by the Chamber, is August 19 at 8:00 a.m.
Preschool Transportation - Unless additional funding is received through grants, the school will not provide transportation for non-special needs pre-school students. There is no policy requiring this, but as a courtesy some pre-schoolers were picked up this past year at the same time special needs students were transported. To continue and expand this practice would mean purchasing a vehicle and hiring a driver.
Reports - Elliott said she attended a meeting for new superintendents and one on school finances with both productive. The level of state financing is a concern.
Mark Johnston, middle school principal, noted sixth grade orientation will be held in conjunction with the August 20 open house, Enrollment is up with 189 expected, buoyed by a large sixth grade. There are 10 new enrollees, which can be a challenge, he said.
High school principal Dean Schnoes said he is prepared to start school now, but is lad there are a few more days remaining.
Cory Heiman, elementary principal, said a brochure will be handed out at open house. Twenty minutes have been added to the daily fifth grade math schedule for a total of 60 minutes and teacher assignments changed. Keyboarding and computer classes will be combined. The state has said the school needs to look at the gap in the achievement level between low social and economic level students and others.
Mary Breyfogle, school improvement coordinator, gave the board the special education service delivery plan which shows how special ed services will be provided.
Force? Board member Tina Thornberry who is unopposed for re-election, served notice she intends to be a force on the board. "I'm on the board for four more years and playtime is over," she remarked. Earlier she had complained provided budget information is not detailed enough, it needs to be like what the city council is given. And, she charged administrators and staff are not examining test data enough to help the less proficient.
Other Action -A bid of $5,438 was accepted to replace restroom partitions. A hearing date on the construction project was set for August 18. The 28E sharing agreement with Guthrie Center was renewed. Sheila Wooldridge was renamed school board secretary and treasurer. And regular school board meetings will be held the second Monday at 6:30 p.m.
The next regular board meeting is Monday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
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©Guthrie Center Times 2009
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