Whitko Approves Budget, Looks To School Year
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel Riordan-driordan@timesuniononline.com
The biggest one being Whitko’s new website www.whitko.org
The site was launched Monday and was shown to the board during its regular meeting.
The board held a budget hearing before its regular meeting and approved a budget with a $11.6 million general fund. That is up from the previous budget’s $11.4.
Chief Financial Officer Tom McFarland noted that the increase could be attributed to funding three full-day kindergartens as well as a $500 taxed check each teacher got.
Superintendent Steve Clason received a 1 percent pay increase that was approved by all board members with the exception of Jorrell Tucker.
Tucker said he didn’t believe the superintendent should receive a raise when teachers don’t.
The $500 check teachers got was in lieu of a raise.
During the budget session, the tax rate for those in the Whitko school district was approved to be $2.09. That’s 5 cents less then it was last year.
“It’s a pretty conservative budget,” said McFarland.
During the regular meeting, Clason went over board goals and how they would be implemented.
That included the approval to hire consultant for assistance in the implementation of a 25-year facility plan.
Clason said the goal is to develop a 25-year plan for all four buildings in the school district.
Clason said he hopes to also have community input, and that is part of the job of the consultant.
The hiring was approved for the position not to exceed $5,000.
Clason also told the board Monday night that the corporation received a $20,000 grant from the Whitley County Foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education.
Building updates were given and Maintenance Superintendent Dirk Felger told the board that since the roofing project at Pierceton Elementary School isn’t finished yet, the roofers will work second shift until the project is done.
Felger cited the scope of the roofing project at South Whitley Elementary School as well as to why the project would still be going on during the start of the school year.
The school board was also introduced to new staff members during Monday night’s meeting.
Two of the hires, Paula Shank and Melissa Ross, both of Pierceton Elementary, were both rehires.
Both women were a part of staff reductions in 2010 by Whitko.
Shank will serve as a thirdgrade teacher while Ross return as a fifth-grade teacher.
The board’s next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19.[[In-content Ad]]
The biggest one being Whitko’s new website www.whitko.org
The site was launched Monday and was shown to the board during its regular meeting.
The board held a budget hearing before its regular meeting and approved a budget with a $11.6 million general fund. That is up from the previous budget’s $11.4.
Chief Financial Officer Tom McFarland noted that the increase could be attributed to funding three full-day kindergartens as well as a $500 taxed check each teacher got.
Superintendent Steve Clason received a 1 percent pay increase that was approved by all board members with the exception of Jorrell Tucker.
Tucker said he didn’t believe the superintendent should receive a raise when teachers don’t.
The $500 check teachers got was in lieu of a raise.
During the budget session, the tax rate for those in the Whitko school district was approved to be $2.09. That’s 5 cents less then it was last year.
“It’s a pretty conservative budget,” said McFarland.
During the regular meeting, Clason went over board goals and how they would be implemented.
That included the approval to hire consultant for assistance in the implementation of a 25-year facility plan.
Clason said the goal is to develop a 25-year plan for all four buildings in the school district.
Clason said he hopes to also have community input, and that is part of the job of the consultant.
The hiring was approved for the position not to exceed $5,000.
Clason also told the board Monday night that the corporation received a $20,000 grant from the Whitley County Foundation for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education.
Building updates were given and Maintenance Superintendent Dirk Felger told the board that since the roofing project at Pierceton Elementary School isn’t finished yet, the roofers will work second shift until the project is done.
Felger cited the scope of the roofing project at South Whitley Elementary School as well as to why the project would still be going on during the start of the school year.
The school board was also introduced to new staff members during Monday night’s meeting.
Two of the hires, Paula Shank and Melissa Ross, both of Pierceton Elementary, were both rehires.
Both women were a part of staff reductions in 2010 by Whitko.
Shank will serve as a thirdgrade teacher while Ross return as a fifth-grade teacher.
The board’s next meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email info@whitewaterpublications.com or Call/Text 360-922-3092
e-Edition
Local Events