If enrollment drops, USD 234 could lose funds

USD 234 is already facing a probable loss of more than $400,000 in state funding next school year, and if enrollment continues to drop slightly, the district could lose additional funds.

During their regular monthly meeting on Monday, the USD 234 Board of Education learned from Business Manager Tiffany Forester that the district could lose an additional $101,304 next year if enrollment numbers drop from the 1,886.5 figure used to plan this year's budget to the 1,859.7 number estimated for the 2011-12 school year.

According to information provided by Forester for budget purposes, the district's enrollment can be based on one of three items: the previous year's enrollment if that figure is higher, the current year's enrollment if that number is highest, or the average of the previous three years.

Forester said that the past two years USD 234 has used the average when planning the budget. The district has seen slight declines in enrollment since 2008.

As an example, if Gov. Sam Brownback's proposal to cut base state aid per pupil next year to $3,780, resulting in a loss of $422,801 for the district, is approved, USD 234 faces a possible total deduction of $524,105 for the 2011-12 school year. The projected enrollment number for next year could be even lower, meaning an even bigger loss of funding, she said.

Other situations the district faces include a loss of $406,643 if the Senate's proposal passes and a loss of $471,275 if the House's plan takes effect. Kansas lawmakers returned from recess last week to continue working on the state budget and to try to resolve differences over education funding and other issues.

Also on Monday, the board:

* Recognized the FSHS concert band, orchestra and concert choir programs for their accomplishments at the state music contests at Pittsburg State University last month. The programs each received I ratings at the Kansas Large Music Group Competition held April 14 at PSU. All choirs, bands and orchestras in the region competed and were judged by three trained music judges.

* Heard an update from Forester on the district's participation in a plan to refurbish two tennis courts located on the municipal golf course property for use by the FSHS tennis teams next year. The district is working with the city and Buck Run Community Center on a proposal to renovate the courts. Supplies will be purchased soon to begin making needed repairs. Total project cost will be split between the three entities, Forester said.

* Reviewed a request from the district for a waiver of the "once every three years" limitation in Title I in order to carry over more than 15 percent of the 2010-11 Title I allocation into the 2011-12 school year. Within the last three years, the district has received permission from KSDE to carry over more than 15 percent of its Title I allocation. Eugene Ware Principal Dave Elliott said that any member of the public who has questions or comments on the waiver request should contact him at (620) 223-3380 by noon Thursday.

* Accepted the resignations of Don Epps, FSHS social science teacher at the end of the current school year, FSHS Assistant Principal Rob McKim at the end of the 2011-12 school year, Amber Ellis, science and social studies teacher at Fort Scott Middle School, effective at the end of the 2011-12 school year, and Debbie Babcock, music teacher aide at FSMS, effective at the end of the 2011-12 year.

* Approved the transfer of Ramona Wilson, Winfield Scott cook, to the position of Winfield Scott kitchen manager for the 2011-12 school year, and Adam Feagins from Eugene Ware Literacy through Technology teacher to the position of Eugene Ware fourth-grade teacher for the 2011-12 year. The board also hired Forester as clerk and business manager for the 2011-12 school year, Emily Maus as an English teacher at FSHS, Kim Domer as teacher aide at Winfield Scott, and Josh Regan as social science instructor at FSHS for the 2011-12 school year.

*Approved school handbooks for the 2011-12 school year.

*Approved a request for permission from Forester for the district to sell a batting cage for $100 and to let bids for the purchase of a car and Suburban for district use. Money from the district's capital outlay and driver's education funds would be used for the purchases, Forester said.

*Approved Midwest Coating to complete roof work on the east side of the Eugene Ware school building and the Fort Scott Preschool Center gym at a cost of $50,615.

*Approved an agreement with Fort Scott Community College to offer two additional dual credit courses at FSHS -- construction trades and speech. Other current dual credit classes at the high school are macro-economics, college algebra and English.

*Approved a change in early graduation requirements.

* Heard a brief report from Superintendent Rick Werling on the district's participation in the Kansas Learning Network.