SYRACUSE -ÊA public hearing for Wawasee School Corp.'s 2000 budget, capital projects fund and bus replacement plan was held Tuesday. No members of the public were present.

The corporation will vote to adopt the budget, fund and plan at its regularly scheduled 7 p.m. Sept. 14 meeting.

The total general fund of the 2000 budget will be $17,885,602 if approved. The debt service fund total is estimated to be near $3,371,518. Capital projects fund total is $3,145,283. The transportation operating fund will be $1,449,800 for the upcoming school year. The transportation bus replacement fund total will be $1,794,566 and the special education preschool fund totals $46,000.

Also on the agenda, the school board accepted the patron petitions. The petitions are a required step in Wawasee's efforts to build a new North Webster Elementary School and remodel its other schools. Twelve petitions were sent out to corporation patrons and 11 returned. The corporation needed 50 signatures; they received 239 in less than a week.

Also approved by the school board was a resolution stating there is a need for the project. The principal amount of the project will cost an estimated $26.6 million.

In personnel business, the board accepted the resignation of two teachers who were suppose to have begun their first year with Wawasee Schools this year.

Asked why the corporation had so many hires this year and why the teachers resigned even before beginning, Superintendent Mark Stock said, "It's a trend. It's the most retirements we've ever had. The market's become so that there's less applicants out there." He said applicants seeking positions will accept jobs but continue to look at other employment.

The board approved the employment of Stephanie Schenker, English, Wawasee High School; Peggy Cook, computers, Wawasee Middle School; Michael Malcolm, science, WMS; Katherine Noser, temporary grade two, North Webster; Rebecca Glaser, temporary, WMS special education; Nancy Nelson, adult education GED class. [[In-content Ad]]