Triton Looks At Cost Cutting; Facing $264K Shortfall
Posted
Julie Harvey-
BOURBON - Triton School Corp. Superintendent Carl Hilling reported to the school board Monday on the general areas that the corporation is possibly considering cutting in order to meet state budgetary reductions.
Triton is faced with approximately 4.5 percent budget cuts totaling $264,000.Areas included within the scope are the athletic programs, music and band, transportation, game management, energy savings within the classroom (not allowing teachers to have refrigerators, coffee pots, or microwaves in their classrooms), tech staff and incentive for early retirement. Hilling reiterated that his priority is to save teacher positions and that no decisions have been made.
Ben Bain (Schmidt and Associates), Dave Worthman (Energy Solutions) and Kurt Schneider (Johnson and Melloh) presented the board with an approximately $4 million project to upgrade the school's air distribution system. The current system is dated and not as energy efficient, and may not last for another 10 years. The new system would implement a more extensive zoning system and be monitored by an off-site project manager.
Bain requested the board allow his firm to move forward in the loan application process. Schmidt and Associates offers this service to assist schools in obtaining low interest loans to pay for the project.
Bain stated the loan rates can range from zero to 5.9 percent and averages 1.9 percent. This low-interest rate would save tax payers $2 million over the term of the loan for their proposed project.
Deb Shively asked that the board not approve the process until the board has an opportunity to discuss it further.
The board approved the request of bus driver, Laura Baker, for six unpaid days for educational leave.
The board approved the Transportation Department's request to sell one of the three buses that the department has in excess, and agreed to table the recommendation to discontinue the driver's education program.
The board approved the cost-cutting measure to make all future field trips self supporting.
Hilling mentioned the possibility of severing ties with the local Booster club, they are a Scholarship Booster Club, as opposed to a Booster club that supports the athletic program.
Principal Mike Chobanov congratulated wrestlers Dylan Senff and Darius Stevens for advancing to the semi-state competition.
Six art students had pieces in the South Bend Art Museum competition. Dan Snyder received a gold key award for his piece.
