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Warsaw School Board held two public hearings Monday, one for bonds for construction projects and the other was a prenegotiation hearing with the teachers’ union.
The board held its second public hearing for general obligation bonds for construction projects in the school corporation. School Board President Heather Reichenbach said for school projects over $1 million, the board has to hold two public hearings.
Chief Financial Officer April Fitterling said the first public hearing was held in July.
Fitterling said the school corporation advertised they were seeking a maximum of $8 million. It will not affect the tax rate.
Fitterling said the projects that are planned to be done include renovations at the Warsaw Area Career Center and Lakeview Middle School and replacing windows at Harrison and Eisenhower elementaries.
The construction is part of the school corporation’s 10-year facilities plan and Fitterling said Warsaw Community Schools has been doing constant construction for about five years.
The board approved motions to issue and appropriate the bonds and reimburse any costs done before the bonds are issued with bond funds.
There was no public comment during the hearing.
The school board also held a prenegotiation hearing.
Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert said the hearing is part of the negotiation process with Warsaw Community Education Association.
Hoffert said through the negotiation process, they want to review, understand and communicate realities, and that includes those in state funding, allocations and demographic numbers. Things talked about include salaries.
The preliminary negotiation process has already started, which will continue until Sept. 15. Another hearing will be held. Then the formal bargaining process will start Sept. 15 and will go to Nov. 15.
WCS and WCEA will bargain a two-year contract. Hoffert said the state will not allow a longer contract negotiation due to not knowing what funding will look like that far out.
There was no public comment during the hearing.
