Mission board tackles funding

ST. IGNATIUS — What to expect in the way of funding from the Legislature and prioritizing a wish list of summer building maintenance projects affected by stimulus funding were two big items on the agenda at the April 21 St. Ignatius school board meeting.

 Superintendent Gerry Nolan reported in the budget review that the year to date budget of $5.5 million is on track with roughly 75 percent of it spent for 2008-09.

“You can attribute that to our staff being good stewards of taxpayer’s money,” Nolan said.

Looking towards next school year’s budget, the superintendent said he has learned that in a legislative year in Montana, the schools won’t know exactly what they’re getting — or not getting — until May or June.

Nolan explained that, like many states, Montana legislators reduced taxpayer funding for K-12 education and replaced it with federal stimulus dollars.

“The stimulus money was supposed to be used to supplement, not supplant, but it looks now to definitely be supplanting,” Nolan added.

The good news, Nolan said, is that the stimulus money is so big that it should be a net plus for two years. Nolan reported that the district’s miscellaneous funds and impact aid funding are expected to see an increase with the stimulus, while the general fund will most likely drop from its typical average of $2.8 million.

However, the superintendent warned board members to remember that the stimulus is one-time money, that after 27 months will be gone and the state will then be tasked to pick up the slack.

“When it’s gone you’re behind in a way, living on state money again,” Nolan said.

Board chairwoman Maxine Whitson hoped for a positive impact from the federal funds.

“We’ve got a lot of catching up to do, so hopefully the stimulus money will allow us to do some of that,” Whitson said.

Some of that catching up has to do with a wish list of over $400,000 in improvement projects to the district’s school grounds and facilities. Steve McCollum gave the buildings and grounds update, asking the board to begin to prioritize needs versus wants on the list of projects.

“The costs are huge, so we’ve got to sit down and knock some of this out,” McCollum said.

Board vice chairman John Biggs discussed “green” methods of improving the facilities and grabbing more stimulus incentive funds, adding that measures such as solar panels would be better fitted for the district as the amount of available woody biomass for a biomass boiler has decreased substantially locally. McCollum added that there are currently a number of energy efficient items on the list including doors, windows and facility maintenance sores that have worn out and could save money in the long run.

One item that must be acquired is a new boiler heating system for the elementary school — estimated to cost the district $144,400. Others on the list include: Tennis courts to the tune of $28,480; $6,600 for high school lockers; paving the parking lot for $183,750; and $15,195 for carpeting in the high school library.

In high school principal’s report, Jason Sargent said that the high school passed a drug dog search on April 20 with no drugs, alcohol, or weapons found on school grounds. Sargent reported that nothing had been found in any of the searches for the 2008-09 school year, adding that students and teachers should be commended for an exceptionally clean year for the district.

In discussing the schedule for 2009-10 school year, Sargent said the high school will offer more options than ever, with AP courses in each subject.

“We’ll have new classes like DNA technology and bio-technology, so you can take just about any classes you could get at the biggest schools right here in St. Ignatius,” Sargent said.

“I’m excited about the alternative school using the NovaNet virtual school method also — so you can no longer say ‘it’s not available’ because we can offer it.”

In other school board news:

• The board was updated on local year-round after school programs and their services and activities.

• The board unanimously approved the 2009-10 schedule.

• The board decided to hold a special building committee meeting on April 28 to refine the project list.

• Filled a resignation vacancy in the elementary school with current staff.

• Upon administration recommendation, the board approved re-hiring the current St. Ignatius schools staff

• Discussed candidates for coaches in high school boy’s basketball and middle school volleyball

• Approved overnight out-of-state trips to Silverwood Theme Park in Coeur d’Alene for the middle school honors students and the high school physics students.