Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
PIERCETON - Whitko Schools' $15 million 2001 budget was unanimously passed Thursday in a special school board meeting. No members of the public were present.
The budget includes: $11.5 million for the general fund; $1.5 million for debt service; $1.2 million for capital projects; $1.02 million for transportation, including $231,179 for bus replacement; and $21,345 for special education preschool.
The board also approved a contract with Electrical Systems Co. for a new wireless communications system for the school corporation. The system will include a 140-foot tower at Whitko Middle School, Larwill, which will transmit and receive signals, and two remote locations, at Pierceton Elementary and Whitko High School.
"It will allow us to move data much quicker, and internal telephone communications without tying up outside lines," said Dr. William Worl, superintendent.
He also said the cost of the system, $73,388, eventually will be offset by the expected savings, at least $500 per month.
All schools' phones and the approximately 700 computers in the school corporation will be connected to the wireless system.
Installation is expected to begin this fall and Worl said today he estimates the system will be in place and functional before 2001.
The board also approved the Interlocal Agreement with North Central Indiana Cooperative for a new facility in Warsaw, and participation in the Northern Indiana Service Center's Natural Gas Bid Program to buy gas from Volunteer Energy. Worl said the program "has the potential to save us over $3,800 over the next year."
Worl also reported on the unofficial school enrollment for this year, which is approximately 43 students less than this time last year, he said.
As of Aug. 25, enrollment at Whitko High School was 592; Whitko Middle School, 497; South Whitley Elementary, 433; and Pierceton Elementary, 488; for a total of 2,010.
Whitko School Board members are Michael Braddock, Deborah Collier, Larry Long, Dave Tranter and Hal Trump.
