Whitko Nearing Decision On Budget Cuts

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Daniel [email protected]

PIERCETON - Whitko Superintendent Steve Clason said a meeting is scheduled with the teacher's association this week to discuss ways to make up budget deficits.

"We now have a plan on the table," said Clason at Whitko's school board meeting Monday night. No decision has been made yet. "These are plans that are going to affect a lot of people."

Clason said he will spend the next several weeks presenting the plan to people, and that a final plan will be presented at Whitko's March 15 meeting.

Tom McFarland, director of financial operations, gave the corporation's financial update. McFarland said Whitko's cash balance decreased $34,000 in January while it was up $24,000 in February.

McFarland said March could see a decrease as well with three pay periods coming that month.

"By June it's possible our cash balance will be in the red," said McFarland.

McFarland did note one bright spot as the transportation budget is $10,000 less than it was budgeted.

Clason also gave updates on school board elections, the state legislative session and grants.

As of Monday night, both races had just one candidate running.

In District 4, Deborah Collier is seeking re-election and is currently unopposed.

In District 5, the seat currently held by Pete Mitchell, Jorrell Gilbert is currently running unopposed. Mitchell is not seeking re-election for his seat.

The school board elections will take place during the May primary with the winners term's beginning July 1.

After Clason gave an overview of bills either on the floor or in committee at the statehouse, he said there wasn't much new with grants.

Clason said the majority of grants currently available only fund new projects.

During school updates, Whitko Middle School's principal, Jerry Klausing, said the current budget issues have "cast a pall on the whole situation" because some are worried about their employment for next year.

As for upcoming events, Klausing said the middle school's second annual talent show will be Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

He also thanked the maintenance department for their work on snow removal.

At Pierceton Elementary, Principal Barb Ihnen said the school held its first dinner theater with first-, second- and third-graders and almost 130 parents were on hand for it.

A fine arts program at Pierceton will be Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. with a music program featuring second- and third-graders starting at 6:30 p.m.

South Whitley Principal George Roth said his school has a science fair coming up in two weeks.

Roth also said a father/daughter dance was held Friday night with more than 200 people in attendance.

The board also recognized four Whitko High School wrestlers headed to the state finals in Indianapolis this weekend.

Before the meeting, the school board viewed a program about the Whitko Middle School's archery program headed by Charles Wright, who is a physical education teacher at the middle school.

Student Trevor Gilbert was recognized for winning a state championship in archery at a recent competition.

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PIERCETON - Whitko Superintendent Steve Clason said a meeting is scheduled with the teacher's association this week to discuss ways to make up budget deficits.

"We now have a plan on the table," said Clason at Whitko's school board meeting Monday night. No decision has been made yet. "These are plans that are going to affect a lot of people."

Clason said he will spend the next several weeks presenting the plan to people, and that a final plan will be presented at Whitko's March 15 meeting.

Tom McFarland, director of financial operations, gave the corporation's financial update. McFarland said Whitko's cash balance decreased $34,000 in January while it was up $24,000 in February.

McFarland said March could see a decrease as well with three pay periods coming that month.

"By June it's possible our cash balance will be in the red," said McFarland.

McFarland did note one bright spot as the transportation budget is $10,000 less than it was budgeted.

Clason also gave updates on school board elections, the state legislative session and grants.

As of Monday night, both races had just one candidate running.

In District 4, Deborah Collier is seeking re-election and is currently unopposed.

In District 5, the seat currently held by Pete Mitchell, Jorrell Gilbert is currently running unopposed. Mitchell is not seeking re-election for his seat.

The school board elections will take place during the May primary with the winners term's beginning July 1.

After Clason gave an overview of bills either on the floor or in committee at the statehouse, he said there wasn't much new with grants.

Clason said the majority of grants currently available only fund new projects.

During school updates, Whitko Middle School's principal, Jerry Klausing, said the current budget issues have "cast a pall on the whole situation" because some are worried about their employment for next year.

As for upcoming events, Klausing said the middle school's second annual talent show will be Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the school.

He also thanked the maintenance department for their work on snow removal.

At Pierceton Elementary, Principal Barb Ihnen said the school held its first dinner theater with first-, second- and third-graders and almost 130 parents were on hand for it.

A fine arts program at Pierceton will be Thursday starting at 5:30 p.m. with a music program featuring second- and third-graders starting at 6:30 p.m.

South Whitley Principal George Roth said his school has a science fair coming up in two weeks.

Roth also said a father/daughter dance was held Friday night with more than 200 people in attendance.

The board also recognized four Whitko High School wrestlers headed to the state finals in Indianapolis this weekend.

Before the meeting, the school board viewed a program about the Whitko Middle School's archery program headed by Charles Wright, who is a physical education teacher at the middle school.

Student Trevor Gilbert was recognized for winning a state championship in archery at a recent competition.

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