July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Schools brace for budgeting (07/22/2008)
Jay School Board
By By STEVE GARBACZ-
Changes in the state's property tax structure could make school budget time more challenging.
The Jay School Board, which will begin hearings on the 2009 budget on Monday, Aug. 4, received a preview on that process Monday from Brad DeRome, Jay Schools business manager.
DeRome said property tax reforms passed this year by the Indiana Legislature will remove the local school general fund property tax levy beginning next year, shifting funding to the state level.
The general fund, which includes salaries for teachers and virtually all personnel, is approximately two-thirds of the Jay Schools budget, although a portion of the current budget is already funded by the state.
While that change should mean a significant drop in tax bills for county property owners next year, DeRome said the new system could leave some uncertainty.
DeRome said although the county's estimated assessed valuation, or value of all taxable property, increased dramatically for tax year 2007, payable 2008, he is being told by state budget officials to figure estimated tax rates based on a value 20 percent less than the actual amount.
That conservative strategy will result in higher rates than will actually be approved. During the budget process, rates can be be lowered, but not raised. DeRome said state officials are cautioning towards a conservative approach in case an increase in the homestead exemption for primary residences has a larger-than-expected effect.
Also Monday, members of the board heard a report on options for renovations and repairs to the food service area and Harold E. Schutz Memorial Stadium at Jay County High School.
Board members approved a preliminary step in work on the football stadium - replacement of a set of steps leading up to the bleachers on the home side of the stadium.
The steps, which are currently concrete, will be replaced in the coming weeks with a set of aluminum steps. Jay Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Long said that the work is the first step of what could evolve into creating a platform along the front of the bleachers for handicap accessibility.
Ramps would integrate with the platform and stairs to the main bleachers.
The board also expects to address in the coming year other problems with the stadium, including cracks and leaks in the concrete seating areas, replacement or addition of railings in the bleacher area, and upgrades of the locker rooms.
Only routine maintenance work has been done on the stadium since the school opened in 1975, Jay Schools facilities director Ron Krieg said Monday.
"We want to do (renovation of the stadium) in pieces so we don't spend a half-million dollars at once," said Long, who added after the meeting that the $500,000 figure was only an estimate.
Also approved Monday was the replacement of a small walk-in cooler in the food service area at the high school. More extensive work is planned for that area in the future.
Members of the board will tour school facilities, including the football stadium and food service area, on Saturday, Aug. 23. That meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the administration offices on West Tyson Road, is open to the public.
On a related topic, Long commended the board and employees, including Krieg, for efforts made to improve the schools inside and out.
"I think the facilities look nicer than any time I've ever seen," said Long, "and that's going back to 1992. I think we need to celebrate that a little bit."
Long said that the steel for the new auxiliary gym/multipurpose facility at the high school arrived this week, and erection of that steel should begin this morning.
In other business Monday, members of the board:
•Approved textbook rental and other fees for the 2008-09 school year. A complete list of the fees will be published later this week in The Commercial Review.
•Ratified the appointment of Jay Halstead to the city of Portland Tax Increment Financing advisory board, and Trent Paxson to the board of directors for John Jay Center for Learning. Halstead was appointed by Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier as an advisory member of the TIF board, and Long made the appointment of Paxson to the JJCL board.
•Reviewed an assessment of the TV studio at Jay County High School. "We're not going to spend any money on that at this point in time," Long said.
•Heard Long give an update on progress on a robotics program expanding to the corporation's two middle schools. Robots have been ordered for use at West Jay, said Long, who said that programs have sparked enthusiasm from several members of the community.
•Learned that work on the heating and cooling system at Pennville Elementary School is planned in the coming months. The work will likely be paid for through the school's Rainy Day fund.
•Approved rates for employee contributions for health insurance for the coming school year. Teachers hired prior to July 1, 2006, will continue to pay $348 annually for the single plan "A." Those hired after that date will pay $1,096 annually for the same plan.
Teachers will pay 20 percent to participate in the family plan. The employee contribution for that plan will be $3,339 per year.
Terms of in-network coverage include a $200 individual and $400 family deductible; 90 percent/10 percent co-insurance; a $450 individual and $900 family out of pocket maximum; and prescription coverage of $7 for generic, $14 for brand name; and $14/$28 for mail order.
•Approved parent/student handbooks for the county's seven elementary schools and two middle schools.
[[In-content Ad]]With school set to begin in less than a month, members of the Jay School Board approved a long list of personnel and extra-curricular activity appointments Monday.
Here is a list of those appointments:
New hires
Elizabeth Becker, speech and language (district); Lisa Morgan, 8th grade algebra (West Jay MS); Adam Faulkner, 5th grade summer school (Westlawn); Erica Tomano, 8th grade English, East Jay MS; Kimberly Haffner, math, JCHS; Diana Hill, art/math coach, Westlawn/Pennville Elementary; Carol Rathbun, half-time nurse, JCHS; Sharon Reffit, kindergarten instructional assistant, General Shanks; Irene Taylor, summer IA, West Jay MS; Mary Wilson, summer IA, West Jay MS; Julie Barlow, summer IA, Westlawn; Colinda Anderson, summer IA, East Jay MS; Jason Robbins, technical network analyst/library media specialist, district; Dana McClung, adult education, John Jay Center for Learning; Jessie Mangus, adult education, JJCL; Lee Newman, summer principal, East Jay MS; Mike Crull, summer principal, West Jay MS; Michael Eads, summer GT, General Shanks; Sharon Newman, summer instruction, West Jay MS; Pete Vogler, summer instruction, East Jay MS; Brent Burkheimer, industrial technology, JCHS; Debra Miller, secretary/treasurer, East Jay MS; Gerald Flanagen, math/science, East Jay MS; and Elizabeth Becker, speech/language, district.
Transfers
Bill Saxman, 5th grade, Judge Haynes (from Pennville); Linda Sipe, special ed IA (General Shanks); Kim Hiatt, 5th grade, West Jay MS (from Westlawn); Erin (Arnold) Homan, kindergarten, Judge Haynes (from 5th grade); Adam Faulkner, 5th grade, Westlawn (from 4th); Holly Long, 4th grade, Westlawn (from art/math coach); Jane Prescott, 2nd grade, Redkey (from East Elementary); Tisha Walker, 2nd grade, East Elementary (from kindergarten); Christy Shauver, 2nd grade, East Elementary (from East Jay); and Carrie Byrum, 5th grade, Bloomfield (from kindergarten).
Leaves of absence
Tisha Walker, East Elementary, Aug. 15-Sept. 29, 2008; Chip Phillips, West Jay Middle School, military leave, July 3-April 30, 2009.
ECA assignments
Cindy Wolverton, 7th grade team leader, WJMS; Irene Taylor, pep club sponsor, WJMS; James Roberts, 7th grade head football coach, WJMS; Linda Brackman, cheerleader sponsor, WJMS; Cheree McCallister, cheerleader sponsor, WJMS; Greg Garringer, cross country, WJMS; Lori Sims, newspaper, honor society and yearbook sponsor, EJMS; Beth Stephen, 8th grade volleyball, EJMS; Sarah Ullom, cheerleading sponsor, EJMS; Shane Mann, volunteer assistant football, JCHS; Ryan Fritz, varsity assistant football, JCHS; Leslie Bantz, cross country, JCHS; Rayma Frankenfield, assistant golf coach, JCHS; Jacob Workman, varsity assistant football, JCHS; Chuck Denny, volunteer 9th grade football, JCHS; Jason Phillips, freshman football head coach, JCHS; Christopher Overholt, varsity assistant football coach, JCHS; Shaun Roberts, assistant soccer, JCHS; Randy Rigby, assistant volleyball, JCHS; Alan Bailey, boys soccer head coach, JCHS; Eric Hemmelgarn, assistant football, JCHS; Josh Gibson, volunteer assistant football, JCHS; Clayton Bailey, 9th grade football assistant, JCHS.
Retirement
Sandy Colquhoun, library/media specialist, East/Bloomfield.
Resignation
Dan Orr, biology/science, JCHS (effective July 21).
The Jay School Board, which will begin hearings on the 2009 budget on Monday, Aug. 4, received a preview on that process Monday from Brad DeRome, Jay Schools business manager.
DeRome said property tax reforms passed this year by the Indiana Legislature will remove the local school general fund property tax levy beginning next year, shifting funding to the state level.
The general fund, which includes salaries for teachers and virtually all personnel, is approximately two-thirds of the Jay Schools budget, although a portion of the current budget is already funded by the state.
While that change should mean a significant drop in tax bills for county property owners next year, DeRome said the new system could leave some uncertainty.
DeRome said although the county's estimated assessed valuation, or value of all taxable property, increased dramatically for tax year 2007, payable 2008, he is being told by state budget officials to figure estimated tax rates based on a value 20 percent less than the actual amount.
That conservative strategy will result in higher rates than will actually be approved. During the budget process, rates can be be lowered, but not raised. DeRome said state officials are cautioning towards a conservative approach in case an increase in the homestead exemption for primary residences has a larger-than-expected effect.
Also Monday, members of the board heard a report on options for renovations and repairs to the food service area and Harold E. Schutz Memorial Stadium at Jay County High School.
Board members approved a preliminary step in work on the football stadium - replacement of a set of steps leading up to the bleachers on the home side of the stadium.
The steps, which are currently concrete, will be replaced in the coming weeks with a set of aluminum steps. Jay Schools Superintendent Dr. Tim Long said that the work is the first step of what could evolve into creating a platform along the front of the bleachers for handicap accessibility.
Ramps would integrate with the platform and stairs to the main bleachers.
The board also expects to address in the coming year other problems with the stadium, including cracks and leaks in the concrete seating areas, replacement or addition of railings in the bleacher area, and upgrades of the locker rooms.
Only routine maintenance work has been done on the stadium since the school opened in 1975, Jay Schools facilities director Ron Krieg said Monday.
"We want to do (renovation of the stadium) in pieces so we don't spend a half-million dollars at once," said Long, who added after the meeting that the $500,000 figure was only an estimate.
Also approved Monday was the replacement of a small walk-in cooler in the food service area at the high school. More extensive work is planned for that area in the future.
Members of the board will tour school facilities, including the football stadium and food service area, on Saturday, Aug. 23. That meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the administration offices on West Tyson Road, is open to the public.
On a related topic, Long commended the board and employees, including Krieg, for efforts made to improve the schools inside and out.
"I think the facilities look nicer than any time I've ever seen," said Long, "and that's going back to 1992. I think we need to celebrate that a little bit."
Long said that the steel for the new auxiliary gym/multipurpose facility at the high school arrived this week, and erection of that steel should begin this morning.
In other business Monday, members of the board:
•Approved textbook rental and other fees for the 2008-09 school year. A complete list of the fees will be published later this week in The Commercial Review.
•Ratified the appointment of Jay Halstead to the city of Portland Tax Increment Financing advisory board, and Trent Paxson to the board of directors for John Jay Center for Learning. Halstead was appointed by Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier as an advisory member of the TIF board, and Long made the appointment of Paxson to the JJCL board.
•Reviewed an assessment of the TV studio at Jay County High School. "We're not going to spend any money on that at this point in time," Long said.
•Heard Long give an update on progress on a robotics program expanding to the corporation's two middle schools. Robots have been ordered for use at West Jay, said Long, who said that programs have sparked enthusiasm from several members of the community.
•Learned that work on the heating and cooling system at Pennville Elementary School is planned in the coming months. The work will likely be paid for through the school's Rainy Day fund.
•Approved rates for employee contributions for health insurance for the coming school year. Teachers hired prior to July 1, 2006, will continue to pay $348 annually for the single plan "A." Those hired after that date will pay $1,096 annually for the same plan.
Teachers will pay 20 percent to participate in the family plan. The employee contribution for that plan will be $3,339 per year.
Terms of in-network coverage include a $200 individual and $400 family deductible; 90 percent/10 percent co-insurance; a $450 individual and $900 family out of pocket maximum; and prescription coverage of $7 for generic, $14 for brand name; and $14/$28 for mail order.
•Approved parent/student handbooks for the county's seven elementary schools and two middle schools.
[[In-content Ad]]With school set to begin in less than a month, members of the Jay School Board approved a long list of personnel and extra-curricular activity appointments Monday.
Here is a list of those appointments:
New hires
Elizabeth Becker, speech and language (district); Lisa Morgan, 8th grade algebra (West Jay MS); Adam Faulkner, 5th grade summer school (Westlawn); Erica Tomano, 8th grade English, East Jay MS; Kimberly Haffner, math, JCHS; Diana Hill, art/math coach, Westlawn/Pennville Elementary; Carol Rathbun, half-time nurse, JCHS; Sharon Reffit, kindergarten instructional assistant, General Shanks; Irene Taylor, summer IA, West Jay MS; Mary Wilson, summer IA, West Jay MS; Julie Barlow, summer IA, Westlawn; Colinda Anderson, summer IA, East Jay MS; Jason Robbins, technical network analyst/library media specialist, district; Dana McClung, adult education, John Jay Center for Learning; Jessie Mangus, adult education, JJCL; Lee Newman, summer principal, East Jay MS; Mike Crull, summer principal, West Jay MS; Michael Eads, summer GT, General Shanks; Sharon Newman, summer instruction, West Jay MS; Pete Vogler, summer instruction, East Jay MS; Brent Burkheimer, industrial technology, JCHS; Debra Miller, secretary/treasurer, East Jay MS; Gerald Flanagen, math/science, East Jay MS; and Elizabeth Becker, speech/language, district.
Transfers
Bill Saxman, 5th grade, Judge Haynes (from Pennville); Linda Sipe, special ed IA (General Shanks); Kim Hiatt, 5th grade, West Jay MS (from Westlawn); Erin (Arnold) Homan, kindergarten, Judge Haynes (from 5th grade); Adam Faulkner, 5th grade, Westlawn (from 4th); Holly Long, 4th grade, Westlawn (from art/math coach); Jane Prescott, 2nd grade, Redkey (from East Elementary); Tisha Walker, 2nd grade, East Elementary (from kindergarten); Christy Shauver, 2nd grade, East Elementary (from East Jay); and Carrie Byrum, 5th grade, Bloomfield (from kindergarten).
Leaves of absence
Tisha Walker, East Elementary, Aug. 15-Sept. 29, 2008; Chip Phillips, West Jay Middle School, military leave, July 3-April 30, 2009.
ECA assignments
Cindy Wolverton, 7th grade team leader, WJMS; Irene Taylor, pep club sponsor, WJMS; James Roberts, 7th grade head football coach, WJMS; Linda Brackman, cheerleader sponsor, WJMS; Cheree McCallister, cheerleader sponsor, WJMS; Greg Garringer, cross country, WJMS; Lori Sims, newspaper, honor society and yearbook sponsor, EJMS; Beth Stephen, 8th grade volleyball, EJMS; Sarah Ullom, cheerleading sponsor, EJMS; Shane Mann, volunteer assistant football, JCHS; Ryan Fritz, varsity assistant football, JCHS; Leslie Bantz, cross country, JCHS; Rayma Frankenfield, assistant golf coach, JCHS; Jacob Workman, varsity assistant football, JCHS; Chuck Denny, volunteer 9th grade football, JCHS; Jason Phillips, freshman football head coach, JCHS; Christopher Overholt, varsity assistant football coach, JCHS; Shaun Roberts, assistant soccer, JCHS; Randy Rigby, assistant volleyball, JCHS; Alan Bailey, boys soccer head coach, JCHS; Eric Hemmelgarn, assistant football, JCHS; Josh Gibson, volunteer assistant football, JCHS; Clayton Bailey, 9th grade football assistant, JCHS.
Retirement
Sandy Colquhoun, library/media specialist, East/Bloomfield.
Resignation
Dan Orr, biology/science, JCHS (effective July 21).
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