Board told of problems in state disbursements, reassessment delays
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
School corporations statewide are suffering financially, and Warsaw Community Schools is no different, the Warsaw school board was told Monday.
Rande Thorpe, WCS business manager, said the state's Department of Local Government and Finance still has not approved WCS' 2003 budget.
"That has never happened, to my knowledge. They're not operating business as usual," he said.
In January, WCS borrowed approximately $9 million in tax anticipation warrants to make ends meet until funds collected through property taxes were received from the state. However, because the reassessment is not complete, the county can't prepare the tax bills, people won't pay taxes and the school corporation won't get its money, he said.
He said he anticipates WCS receiving local property taxes in October, and they usually receive half in May and June and the other half in November and December.
In fiscal year 2003, which is the 2002-03 school year, WCS received $473,000 less in each half-year, Thorpe said.
He later encouraged people to write their legislators and encourage more funding for education, warning not to send form letters or letters with metered postage, since they would not get as much attention as individual letters with stamped envelopes.
Warsaw Community High School's student government, led by student body president Erin Elliott, also is concentrating on state government.
"WCHS wants to lead the push going to the state Legislature to ask for educational equity," Elliott said. In an effort to mobilize other students statewide, WCHS students will be sending information packets to every school in Indiana, and plans to picket the Statehouse in Indianapolis on March 29.
"We want a better education in Indiana. We want to become better," she said.
Elliott also said she had spoken to state Rep. David Wolkins recently, when Wolkins was at the high school, and he told her there was nothing the students could do.
Terry Sims, president of Warsaw Community Education Association, said WCEA is opposed to teacher layoffs and will work with the administration and school board to change the situation at the state level.
Sims also suggested that WCEA cosponsor a town meeting with Wolkins, state Sen. Kent Adams, the public and teachers. No specific date was set.
Also Monday night the board approved a "Resolution of Need," which is the next legal step required by the state for WCS' construction project.
The resolution gave the board authority to advertise a lease hearing, which will take place at the April meeting. The lease process will establish a holding corporation that, according to Thorpe, will "own" the construction and will be paid back by WCS.
Though WCS has no intention to even discuss the idea of year-round schooling, they are required by the state to advertise for a hearing on year-round school along with the lease hearing.
"Warsaw Community Schools does not intend in any way, shape or form to implement year-round schooling," Thorpe said. "It's merely a formality required by the legal procedure."
Warsaw school board members are Craig Allebach, Larry Chamberlain, Gene England, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Mark Minatel and Ron Yeiter. The board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the administration building. [[In-content Ad]]
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School corporations statewide are suffering financially, and Warsaw Community Schools is no different, the Warsaw school board was told Monday.
Rande Thorpe, WCS business manager, said the state's Department of Local Government and Finance still has not approved WCS' 2003 budget.
"That has never happened, to my knowledge. They're not operating business as usual," he said.
In January, WCS borrowed approximately $9 million in tax anticipation warrants to make ends meet until funds collected through property taxes were received from the state. However, because the reassessment is not complete, the county can't prepare the tax bills, people won't pay taxes and the school corporation won't get its money, he said.
He said he anticipates WCS receiving local property taxes in October, and they usually receive half in May and June and the other half in November and December.
In fiscal year 2003, which is the 2002-03 school year, WCS received $473,000 less in each half-year, Thorpe said.
He later encouraged people to write their legislators and encourage more funding for education, warning not to send form letters or letters with metered postage, since they would not get as much attention as individual letters with stamped envelopes.
Warsaw Community High School's student government, led by student body president Erin Elliott, also is concentrating on state government.
"WCHS wants to lead the push going to the state Legislature to ask for educational equity," Elliott said. In an effort to mobilize other students statewide, WCHS students will be sending information packets to every school in Indiana, and plans to picket the Statehouse in Indianapolis on March 29.
"We want a better education in Indiana. We want to become better," she said.
Elliott also said she had spoken to state Rep. David Wolkins recently, when Wolkins was at the high school, and he told her there was nothing the students could do.
Terry Sims, president of Warsaw Community Education Association, said WCEA is opposed to teacher layoffs and will work with the administration and school board to change the situation at the state level.
Sims also suggested that WCEA cosponsor a town meeting with Wolkins, state Sen. Kent Adams, the public and teachers. No specific date was set.
Also Monday night the board approved a "Resolution of Need," which is the next legal step required by the state for WCS' construction project.
The resolution gave the board authority to advertise a lease hearing, which will take place at the April meeting. The lease process will establish a holding corporation that, according to Thorpe, will "own" the construction and will be paid back by WCS.
Though WCS has no intention to even discuss the idea of year-round schooling, they are required by the state to advertise for a hearing on year-round school along with the lease hearing.
"Warsaw Community Schools does not intend in any way, shape or form to implement year-round schooling," Thorpe said. "It's merely a formality required by the legal procedure."
Warsaw school board members are Craig Allebach, Larry Chamberlain, Gene England, Cathy Folk, James Folk, Mark Minatel and Ron Yeiter. The board meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the administration building. [[In-content Ad]]