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NORTH MANCHESTER - "We advertise high to protect ourselves from the unknown," said Manchester Community Schools Business Manager Steve Shumaker, when explaining the Manchester Community Schools' budget proposals Tuesday.
The school corporation will advertise a total budget of $9,722,795 for the next school year. That number represents a 0.22 percent increase from last year's $9,701,655.
"Of course this is still a guess," said Shumaker.
Until the final numbers are in from assessments, the budget figures will not be officially finalized.
"We build in margins to make sure we have the budget numbers in place for what we need," said Shumaker.
The MCS debt service fund is listed at $1,992,476, down from last year to reflect the reduction of some outstanding debt payments.
Manchester's capital projects fund is projected to be $1,598,100 this year. According to Shumaker, this fund saw the biggest jump from last year because of repairs to carpets in two elementary schools and a new telephone system to link all the school building together.
The transportation operating fund is expected to rise to $635,050 this year, and the bus replacement fund is listed at $126,000.
The board also approved Shumaker's request to advertise for an additional appropriation to pay for new tennis courts at Manchester High School.
According to Shumaker, requesting the funds is a two-part process. First the board must advertise and give taxpayers notice of the appropriation request. Once approved, a proposal to amend the capital projects fund must be submitted.
The tennis court project would see six fully usable new tennis courts at the high school. The high school courts were built 42 years ago, and the new courts would be expected to last as long or longer with routine maintenance. The courts now located at Manchester Junior High School would be demolished, leaving all courts at the high school loaction.
In addition to hearing budget figures, the board also approved an increase in health insurance premiums of 8.25 percent.
The board also hired Tiffany Gooden, of Barnes and Thornburg law firm, as a spokeswoman to help with teacher package negotiations.
Diane Showalter, MCS superintendent, used an analogy to explain Gooden's hiring.
"When my kids are sick, I take them to a GP (general practitioner)," said Showalter, "but if they are really sick, I take them to a specialist. Our budget is really sick, and we need a specialist to give our teachers the best we can give them. I'm a GP, not a specialist. Ms. Gooden would ensure that we get the best package for our teachers."
Gooden will be paid $150 per hour for her services.
The board also approved hiring Laura Koczan to teach math at Manchester Junior High School for this year only.
Manchester school board members are Sally Krouse, president, Todd Speicher, Kent Terrill, Carlye McLaughlin and Brad Perrott. Superintendent is Diane Showalter. Board members Thom Frantz and Brian Shilling were not present at the meeting.
