Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
BURKET - The Tippecanoe Valley School Board passed the 2001-02 school budget Monday.
The total advertised budget is $16,427,189. The general fund is three-fourths of the budget amount, stretching to more than $12 million.
The approved budget is now heading to the state tax assessor's office.
The state has new assessment rules that are in effect this year. The rules balance the tax revenue weight between business and personal property owners.
With these changes, budgeters are unsure of the end results. Some are still unclear about the new formula, according to Dr. Karen Boling, Tippecanoe Valley Schools superintendent.
In other news, the board:
• Asked Boling about the teacher contract negotiations. Boling said they are not under way but she hopes to begin soon.
No meeting dates have been set between the Uniserv director, the teachers' representative and the school board's attorney.
"I am hoping for a quick settlement so we can move on," said Boling.
• Heard three revised policies. They deal with the release of educational records, noncustodial parent relations and administration of medication at school. The board did not vote on the policies at the meeting.
• Received notice of a $57,531 grant from Dekko Foundation aimed at putting all the community schools' media collections on the Internet, making them accessible to students, faculty and community members.
• Reported the unofficial student count rose by 22 students. Last year's total reached 2,176 students.
The Tippecanoe Valley School Board members are: Mark Wise, Rod Eaton, Tom Weaver, David O'Brien and Hal Hoffman.
