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NA to close elementary school |
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Written by Reporter1
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Wednesday, 10 February 2010 |
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Page 2 of 2
Sirk kicked off Tuesday evening’s regular board of education meeting by reporting an $850,000 reduction in state funding from 2009 levels. More than $600,000 of that total is reflective of an overall decline in state support, while another $240,000 is directly linked to decreasing student enrollment at North Adams.
And Sirk said the funding shortfall is not a one-time occurrence. He cited a letter from the chief financial officer of the Indiana Department of Education which stated that school districts statewide “should not anticipate funding to return to their previous levels” any time in the near future.
So with that financial picture as a backdrop, the superintendent set in motion a series of decisions which await administrators and board members.
“We are looking at every possible way of reducing our costs,” said Sirk. “We need to look at areas for reduction, but still value excellence in education.”
Among the cost-cutting moves being considered are the sharing of some unspecified services with other area school districts, and the outsourcing of some services, such as custodial work. The superintendent said there will be no pay hikes for administrators this year, and classified staff members will receive only their assigned longevity pay increases.
Addition reductions will be realized, Sirk said, by restructuring the central office and eliminating one secretarial position. Additional secretaries, one each at the high school and middle school, will also be eliminated, as will six teaching positions and five instructional assistant slots. More cost savings will be realized by reducing the number of paid athletic assistant coaches.
But it is the imminent closing of an elementary school building which could result in the biggest cost-savings to the district. Sirk presented a fact sheet which showed that a mere 58.5 percent of the available space at Monmouth, Northwest and Southeast elementaries is currently being utilized. Five classrooms each at Monmouth and Northwest are currently unoccupied, and one classroom currently is unused at Southeast Elementary School. Sirk said the optimum rate of classroom utilization should fall between 75-85 percent.
A breakdown of student enrollment this year shows 212 students (plus 12 preschoolers) at Monmouth, 278 (and 14 preschoolers) at Northwest, and 288 at Southeast.
“Currently the facility utilization at North Adams is financially insufficient,” said the superintendent. “With student enrollment on the decline, it is becoming necessary for the North Adams school board to determine the closure of an elementary building. The money is not available to staff three elementaries.
“The board needs to look at ‘do we close an elementary building?’ And now is the time to start looking at that.”
A decision will be needed by late spring or early summer, Sirk added. Input will be forthcoming “in the next few weeks” from a financial advisory committee formed to examine the school districts general financial condition. That committee is comprised of parents, community members, teachers, administrators and school board members.
“We value excellence in education at North Adams,” said Sirk. “At the same time, it is responsible and imperative for us to maintain a healthy financial budget in order to offer top level academics for all our students. We will continue to address the challenges in education, while providing exemplary programs for all students to achieve at their highest levels.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 11 February 2010 )
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