Valley Studies Budget
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MENTONE - The needs and the wants of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation were the topic of discussion at a budget workshop Monday night in Mentone.
When all those needs and wants were added together, the total of the capital projects fund was $1,801,130.
"This is a list of items possibly included in the capital projects fund," said Dr. Daniel Kramer, superintendent of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. "Compared to prior years, it is pared down."
At this point, Kramer stressed, the numbers are approximate. Until the state budget figures are finalized, most of the numbers discussed Monday night are suggestions, and few numbers are firm. The numbers that are firm at this point include required inspections and upkeep of safety items such as fire alarms and bleachers and payments and annual commitments on projects and upgrade that have already been finished such as the Akron Elementary School air conditioning installments.
The preliminary budget numbers are figured using the maximum tax draws that were available last year on assessed values.
Last year's maximum property tax rate was $0.32, but the final number actually was $0.2869.
"We did not use the maximum last year, and we are trying not to do it this year," Kramer said.
The four members of the board present at the workshop also heard from Brad Hagg, technology director for the school corporation. Hagg discussed computers at the high school project as well as the possibilities for district-wide wireless links. Then he went through the technology items on the preliminary capital projects fund worksheets.
Hagg told the board that the high school project, from a technology point of view, could be split into three basic categories: computers, media retrieval and the security system.
"There have been a large number of computers drawn into the (high school) project," said Hagg. If all replacements suggested in the project outline were made, it would total more than 325 machines.
"For a school our size, that is just not practical," Hagg said. He suggested that the machines for the computer labs, teachers and the CAD labs be replaced and current machines be used in other areas.
Hagg then told board members that the current media retrieval equipment is expensive to maintain and suggested that new coax cables be installed to the classrooms to stream Channel One and Direct TV as well as other information directly to classrooms.
Later, the security system for the high school was discussed.
"We are still in the early stages," said Hagg. He told the board that cameras would be installed inside and outside the school for student safety.
The security system and the media retrieval equipment may be included in the high school building project funds.
"We are trying to get the price down," said Hagg. "It will be challenging, but we are trying to get it done."
Possible solutions for problems with the district-wide wireless links were presented at the workshop as well. Just over a month before school ended this spring, the tower at Akron fell and about two weeks later the towers at the high school and Burket were struck by lightning, causing havoc on the school's wireless communication system,
Hagg informed the board of options to resolve the wireless problems. The school may choose to go with an outside provider or install its own wireless tower system. The board will schedule a meeting later to hear from the companies who have made proposals. A decision will be made after the presentations are heard.
"I think it's a good idea to wait and think about it before jumping into anything," said Hagg.
The 10-year plan for bus replacement, which is a requirement for the annual budget, also was discussed. Monday, an extended plan was presented, showing the replacement of two or three buses per year for the next 15 years.
"(The plan) allows us not to have any buses over 15 years old in our fleet," said Kramer.
Tippecanoe Valley School board members present at the meeting were Mark Wise, president; Rod Eaton, Hal Hoffman and David O'Brien. Bryan Murphy was not present at the meeting. [[In-content Ad]]
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MENTONE - The needs and the wants of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation were the topic of discussion at a budget workshop Monday night in Mentone.
When all those needs and wants were added together, the total of the capital projects fund was $1,801,130.
"This is a list of items possibly included in the capital projects fund," said Dr. Daniel Kramer, superintendent of the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. "Compared to prior years, it is pared down."
At this point, Kramer stressed, the numbers are approximate. Until the state budget figures are finalized, most of the numbers discussed Monday night are suggestions, and few numbers are firm. The numbers that are firm at this point include required inspections and upkeep of safety items such as fire alarms and bleachers and payments and annual commitments on projects and upgrade that have already been finished such as the Akron Elementary School air conditioning installments.
The preliminary budget numbers are figured using the maximum tax draws that were available last year on assessed values.
Last year's maximum property tax rate was $0.32, but the final number actually was $0.2869.
"We did not use the maximum last year, and we are trying not to do it this year," Kramer said.
The four members of the board present at the workshop also heard from Brad Hagg, technology director for the school corporation. Hagg discussed computers at the high school project as well as the possibilities for district-wide wireless links. Then he went through the technology items on the preliminary capital projects fund worksheets.
Hagg told the board that the high school project, from a technology point of view, could be split into three basic categories: computers, media retrieval and the security system.
"There have been a large number of computers drawn into the (high school) project," said Hagg. If all replacements suggested in the project outline were made, it would total more than 325 machines.
"For a school our size, that is just not practical," Hagg said. He suggested that the machines for the computer labs, teachers and the CAD labs be replaced and current machines be used in other areas.
Hagg then told board members that the current media retrieval equipment is expensive to maintain and suggested that new coax cables be installed to the classrooms to stream Channel One and Direct TV as well as other information directly to classrooms.
Later, the security system for the high school was discussed.
"We are still in the early stages," said Hagg. He told the board that cameras would be installed inside and outside the school for student safety.
The security system and the media retrieval equipment may be included in the high school building project funds.
"We are trying to get the price down," said Hagg. "It will be challenging, but we are trying to get it done."
Possible solutions for problems with the district-wide wireless links were presented at the workshop as well. Just over a month before school ended this spring, the tower at Akron fell and about two weeks later the towers at the high school and Burket were struck by lightning, causing havoc on the school's wireless communication system,
Hagg informed the board of options to resolve the wireless problems. The school may choose to go with an outside provider or install its own wireless tower system. The board will schedule a meeting later to hear from the companies who have made proposals. A decision will be made after the presentations are heard.
"I think it's a good idea to wait and think about it before jumping into anything," said Hagg.
The 10-year plan for bus replacement, which is a requirement for the annual budget, also was discussed. Monday, an extended plan was presented, showing the replacement of two or three buses per year for the next 15 years.
"(The plan) allows us not to have any buses over 15 years old in our fleet," said Kramer.
Tippecanoe Valley School board members present at the meeting were Mark Wise, president; Rod Eaton, Hal Hoffman and David O'Brien. Bryan Murphy was not present at the meeting. [[In-content Ad]]