PIERCETON - Citing state cuts and a loss of stimulus money in 2011, Whitko Superintendent Steve Clason said the corporation will have to cut around $1.25 million over the next two years.
"Everything is on the table," said Clason at Monday night's school board. "To how and if we do preschool to how and if we do AP calculus."
Clason said the teacher's association is aware of the shortfall and has already offered ideas.Clason said he is open to and hoping for suggestions from people as how to remedy the shortfall.
The 2010 budget is facing a $504,000 revenue shortfall after the state changed how much money would go to the general fund. The school will also see $504,000 less than anticipated in 2011 as well.
Also, in 2011, the corporation will no longer receive $298,000 in revenue with stimulus funds.
Also adding to the strain is the trend in declining student population in the corporation.
Clason credited Whitko for being proactive in trying to come up with solutions to solve the budget deficit.
"If there is a place to do it and do it right and help kids," said Clason, "this is the place."
Clason said a proposal will come to the school board at its February meeting.
Some decisions need to be made by March 1 because, at that point, Whitko High School begins scheduling for the 2010-11 school year.
Clason also said there has been a "major slowdown" in grant money and that most grant money is for start-up programs.
The board also held the second reading and adopted a drug-testing policy.
A pilot program will start in the spring with athletes being tested. The testing costs do not come out of the general fund, according to Clason.
Clason also mentioned that two seats will be open for the school board in the May 4 primary. Pete Mitchell and Deborah Collier are completing four-year terms. Both Mitchell and Collier can run again as Whitko does not have a term-limit policy on school board members.
One candidate will be elected from Washington/Monroe and Jackson townships in Kosciusko County and one from Richland and Cleveland townships in Whitley County.
The first day for candidates to file is Wednesday. Petitions must be filed by noon Feb. 19.
Before the beginning of the regular school board meeting, Terry Eberly was named the board of finance president while Cindy Kreger was named the finance secretary. During the finance meeting, the board approved its 2009 investment report.
The report noted the corporation earned just $6,000 in interest in 2009. In comparison, in 2007, the corporation earned $250,000.
Clason did a presentation on a five-year instructional plan that involved best educating all students in the corporation from special needs to high-ability children.
The board also approved an unpaid leave of absence for Don Zawlocki starting Dec. 18 and 10 unpaid days of absence for Peggy Cavanaugh.
The board's next meeting is Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Whitko Administration Office in Pierceton.
