HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

November 11, 2013

GREAT NEWS:  Ron and Helen Hemelgarn have donated $200,000 toward the track construction project which brings the total contributions to approximately $483,000! The Board of Education passed a resolution officially naming the track/football field “Hemelgarn Field.” Construction is expected to begin in May.

The Board of Education approved the following coaching assignments for the spring seasons:

                        Janice Nunez                MS Track

                        James McMonagle       JV Baseball
                        Steve Orr                     Varsity Baseball
                        Dawn Forter                 Varsity Softball
                        Jon Starkey                  JV Softball
                        Mike Bolster                Boy’s Track
                        Doug Rauner                Assistant Track

Thank you for working with our student-athletes and helping them develop lifelong skills in the areas of teamwork, sportsmanship, fair play, and individual skill improvement.

I would like to recognize and thank Chris Leonard, Anne Capling, Nic Jobe, Jared Janssen, Mark Hubbard and Tim Stotz for volunteering their time to help our basketball teams. They will be working with our student-athletes throughout the winter season. These volunteers are an instrumental part of our athletic program.

The Board of Education supported the following projections for the development of the 2015 budget:               

1.      Foundation Allowance:  Increase of $150 to $7,176

2.      Student Enrollment Projection:  1,415 students

3.      Health Insurance Increase:  2.9% on medical cap and 5% increase on non-medical coverages

4.      Retirement Increase:  ½ %

5.      No Performance or Best Practice Grant Money Available

6.      Pay Increases:  0%

The Board authorized the administration to solicit bids for the following construction projects for the summer of 2014:  asphalt, roofing, fencing, carpet replacement, two buses, paint the lockers in the elementary, high school hallway ceiling replacement, three sets of exterior doors, and paint the high school gymnasium. Once the bids are opened the Building and Grounds Committee will forward recommendations to the full Board of Education for final approval.

Rick Carsten presented a slideshow titled, “A Brief History of Ida Public Schools and Three Year Review of Accomplishments.” If you would like to view the presentation please go to the district webpage at www.idaschools.org and click on the Strategic Planning Folder. Then click on the presentation.

Once approved, the meeting minutes are posted on the district web-site at www.idaschools.org.

2nd Grade Fall Festival

2nd Graders show off their shirts that were made at their Fall Festival.

Winner of Great Lakes Fundraiser Drawing

Congratulations to Anthony Cuykendall!
  He was the winner of an Android Tablet from the Ida Elementary Great Lakes Fundraiser drawing.

Donkey Basketball Rocks!

 The seniors rocked the juniors world.

 Brad did a great job.

 The young kids enjoyed the donkey rides!

 The teacher's team won the night by scoring the most points. Great job Mr. LaRoy, Mr. Williams, Mrs. Locke, Mrs. Thorne, Mr. Green and Mr. Carsten.

 The juniors had fun...

 Ida's Hall of Fame announcer worked the crowd with skill.

Thank you for sponsoring the event Juniors! 

 

 Look at that follow through.

 The pooper scoopers kept the floor clean.

Congratulations to our October Character Strikes Winners

Character Strikes Winners

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

October 28, 2013

Mr. John Lieto was hired for the 8^th grade mathematics teaching position. The interview team consisting of Doug Lovell, Jay Sinclair, Shelley Schlump, Jacob Anastasoff, Melissa Benware and Melissa Raymond indicated that he was ranked #1 after both rounds of interviews. The first round consisted of a traditional interview and the second round required finalists to teach a lesson in the classroom.

The financial auditor provided an overview of the district’s annual audit. In Fiscal Year 2013 the district received $12,925,076 in revenue and had $12,702,382 in expenses. Therefore, the district added $222,694 to the fund equity which was at $4,274,133 as of June 30, 2013.

Ida Public Schools is currently in excellent financial shape but the revenue forecast across the State is still bleak. The number of school districts in deficit doubled this past year to over 50. Economists are predicting a long and slow economic recovery in Michigan and across the country. Additionally, the student population in Michigan is declining which reduces revenue even further. Ida lost about 31 students from 2012 to 2013 and we are projecting a loss of about 26 students for 2014.

Ida’s current year budget (2014) projections follow:                                   

                                    Revenue:          $12,625,837

                                    Expenses:         $13,317,470
                               

The projected yearly deficit is at $691,633 for an ending fund balance on June 30, 2014 of $3,582,500.

The emergency evacuation drill on Friday, October 25, 2013 went very smoothly. The teaching staff, support staff, administration and students took the drill very seriously and performed admirably. The district-wide lock down drill was fast, efficient and worthwhile. Students remained calm, extremely quiet and followed instructions. Once the middle school evacuation started all students and staff were out of the building and across Lewis Avenue in less than 6 minutes. The law enforcement personnel were impressed. The independent evaluators had the following positive comments:

            1.  The students were extremely quiet

            2.  Students exiting windows were fast and they stayed out of sight

            3.  Students ducked below windows when moving about

            4.  Very organized

            5.  Students organized by class with class rosters available

            6.  Impressive drill

            7.  Excellent use of check off sheets for particular purposes (organization)

A few suggestions for improvement were also documented which include:

            1.  Keep lights on in hallways

            2.  Police officer access to building once in lockdown

            3.  Evacuation overcrowding at a particular gate

Once approved, the meeting minutes are posted on the district web-site at www.idaschools.org.

Homecoming Thank You Letter - IDA - What a big success!