Enrollment Losses Impact Budget

By Monica Joseph, Goshen News, Ind.

Jun. 24–NAPPANEE, Ind. — Wa-Nee Community Schools lost 79 students over the past school year, which will “greatly impact” the school’s funding in the coming year if those numbers do not rise, said Superintendent Joe Sabo.

Director of Curriculum Jim Bennett gave the news to the board Monday night.

Sabo said this morning the drop in enrollment was “across the board” split between the high school, middle school and elementary schools.

If school enrollment does not grow by the day of the official “average daily membership” count in September, Wa-Nee will receive less funding from the state.

“We are hoping for a large kindergarten class,” Sabo said.

In the past, Wa-Nee’s kindergarten classes have been larger than graduating classes, resulting in a steady enrollment increase over the years.

“We don’t have a lot of transient familes,” he said.

However, with unemployment and job loss and factory “slow downs,” he said, “that trend is changing.

“This will greatly impact our funding if we don’t get (students) back,” he said.

Contracts

In other news, the board approved a contract for central office staff, administrators and directors with no percentage increase, Sabo said.

Some staff did get incremental raises earned by years worked or various training requirements completed, he said.

Those are akin to increases teachers get for similar criteria, which occur even when an across-the-board salary increase is not granted, he said.

Transportation

Transportation Director Amy Ailes gave a report to the board. There were zero accidents reported in the 2007-2008 school year, she said.

Textbooks

Textbook rental fees went up around $5 for sixth through eighth-grade students.

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