Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Money issues are again affecting Manchester Community Schools.
For the second time this year, the school system will take out a temporary loan against anticipated property tax collections.
The board approved a resolution authorizing the school to borrow a total of $1.285 million against its debt service, capital projects, transportation and bus replacement funds.
Acting superintendent Kim Thurston stated that borrowing the money is critical to meet payroll, health insurance and other necessary expenses.
"Borrowing this money is not something the community sees on a regular basis," board member Thomas Frantz said. "But if we do not do this, we will not be able to meet our daily cash flow requirements."
Frantz also stated that the need to borrow money is not a problem created by poor budgeting or money management, but is "a byproduct of the state's economy."
On another money matter, new fees will be assessed to Manchester High School students beginning with the 2003-04 school year.
A $2.50 charge for each student handbook and a $5 charge to students requesting class schedule changes after designated registration days were approved. The money collected through these new charges will be used to replenish the school's depleting supply fund.
Students with legitimate academic reasons for schedule changes will be exempt from the fee.
In other business, the board:
• Announced it will present a recommendation for the new superintendent at an executive session scheduled for March 10 at 5 p.m.
A statement read by Sally Krouse, president, announced the near finish of the long search process and thanked the community and media for their attitude and patience.
• Noted that Michael Schlitt is one of 12 American teachers selected to attend the Cooperative Education Program in Washington, D.C., and in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia.
The board gave its consent to Schlitt's request for overnight professional leave April 17-30 to attend the program.
• Gave consent for professional overnight leave for Gwen Mize and 10 students to attend a Future Farmers of America state convention in West Lafayette June 16-19.
• Approved a Sunday "after prom" activity for the high school May 18.
• Approved Kyle Weiland for volunteer assistant boys' golf coach for Manchester High School, and Amy Robinson for volunteer assistant softball coach for Manchester High School.
School board members are: president Sally Krouse, vice president Todd Speicher, secretary Brad Perrott, Larry Miller, Thom Frantz, Kent Terrill and Caryle McLaughlin. Acting superintendent is Kim Thurston, and school corporation attorney is Al Schlitt.
