SYRACUSE – The Wawasee School Board passed a 2012 budget of more than $50 million and accepted a $113,000 grant for kindergarten programming during its meeting Tuesday.
Half of the $50.7 million budget is earmarked for the general fund and roughly another fifth for capital projects. The current tax levy is expected to contribute $12.7 million toward the total.
Along with the budget, the board authorized a plan of reductions to fall back on if the state refuses them the full amount requested. Members also approved a tax neutrality resolution, which Schools Superintendent Tom Edington said they have done every year since 2004, to cover retirement benefits from an existing fund rather than raise property taxes for that purpose.
The board also agreed to bid out renovation of the former high school workshop into a cafeteria and address security technology. Edington noted enough funds remain from building renovations over the summer for these other projects.
The grant for a new kindergarten program comes from the Dekko Foundation, which provides grants for childhood development projects in Indiana and surrounding states. The grant will pay for a half-day instructional coach who will work with teachers to explore new approaches to early learning.
Members also heard details on the accreditation visit Oct. 16-19. A team of five from AdvancED, which surveys schools around the world, will grade the district on standards such as leadership, resources and continuous improvement.
