Warsaw Community Schools' public hearing on its proposed 2006 budget didn't attract many members of the public.

They could be counted on one hand.

More than 50 people attended Warsaw's 2005 public budget hearing. Many were opposed to a 4-percent administrators' salary increase previously approved by the board.

Then-Superintendent Dr. David McGuire defended the increase, saying, "The 4 percent was to make sure we remain competitive."

In 2003, he said, teachers and administrators took a cut in pay because insurance costs went up and the pay stayed the same.

School patrons argued that in light of closing three elementary schools to save money, administrators shouldn't get pay increases.

But this year, for the 2006 budget hearing, there weren't 50 people in the entire room, counting board members.

The only member of the public who asked questions was Angela Fulton, Silver Lake.

She asked if there were plans to remove portable classrooms from Washington Elementary School; about the high cost of maintaining the now-closed Claypool Elementary School; and why the budget for computers and related equipment at Washington was cut by $25,000.

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott answered all her questions.

The school is considering donating portables at Washington to Mississippi for classrooms; increase in fuel costs increased the cost to maintain Claypool; and Washington's budget, like all the schools' budgets for equipment, is based on timing and need. "There's a method and timing for when they replace (equipment)," said Scott.

The total for the 2006 estimated budget is $54,233,086, which includes: $38,003,027, general fund; $4,418,979, debt service fund; $7,805,921, capital projects fund; $2,423,260, transportation fund; $694,575, bus replacement fund; $345,769, preschool fund; and $541,555 for retirement/severance.

At the regular school board meeting Sept. 19 at 7 p.m., the school board will be asked to officially adopt the 2006 budget, capital projects plan, bus replacement plan and any related resolutions.

Interim Superintendent Ralph Bailey praised Scott's work on the budget. "I was quite impressed with Kevin's ability - from where he started a year ago to where we are now," said Bailey.

Deb Wiggins, school board member, asked if there was anything Scott came across while preparing the budget that the school board should be aware of.

Scott said he used a student enrollment for Warsaw Schools of 6,457. As of Tuesday, that number was inflated by 80 to 90 students. Also, there is a new teacher at Harrison Elementary and one at Madison and staff development dollars increased.

Fuel prices are increasing, he added, noting that in transportation budget planning, $3 per gallon was allowed for fuel. At the time, budget planners saw that as a high number. Tuesday, gas prices in the Warsaw area hovered around $3 per gallon.

Overall, Scott said, the budget is pretty flat, but some items - such as fuel and retirement accounts - are beyond the school corporation's control.

In another matter, patron John Armacost asked for more detail when the board approves personnel recommendations. He said he felt it would be more useful to know what's going on.

Tuesday, personnel recommendations included: resignation of Elizabeth Harkness, WCS treasurer, effective Sept. 30; Scott Schramm's resignation as women's assistant varsity basketball coach at Warsaw Community High School; hiring of Kevin Lancaster to assume full coaching responsibilities of Madison Elementary's boys' basketball program; hiring of Kristopher Hueber as Madison's boys' track coach; and the hiring of Karen Erba as cheerleading sponsor at Edgewood Middle School.

Board member Dan Robinson asked what is happening with the Leesburg Elementary School music program. Assistant Superintendent Sandra Hess said the music program is being held in the school's basement. The basement was carpeted and has two entrances and exits.

Art at Leesburg is on a cart. Robinson asked how that was going. Hess said she hasn't asked yet, but will.

Robinson also asked if the school busing situation is improving.

Bailey said busing has become more difficult because ridership is increasing, partially due to the increase in gas prices.

Parents aren't taking their children to school as often and aren't allowing high school students to drive. Hess said Transportation Director Della Swain has added bus routes. Bailey said complaints about busing continue, but work on the problem continues as well.

Scott said driver availability is tight. Swain, he said, is constantly looking for bus drivers. [[In-content Ad]]