Published: June 10, 2008 08:00 am      

Superintendent says budget in ‘limbo’

COVINGTON, Ind. — The Covington School Board reviewed the five-year historical view of the school’s general fund, capital projects fund and its 2008 cash flow Monday night.

Superintendent Nate Evans explained to the board that the 2009 budget at this point is really unknown.

The state will base the 2009 budget orders upon their best guess of the county’s assessed value and the 2008 budget.

The property tax levy won’t be available to the school until maybe September since Fountain County residents won’t see their property tax bills for 2008 until August.

“The 2009 budget is in limbo; it’s a mess,” said Evans. “It’s a great relief for property taxpayers, but working out the nuts and bolts as to how the relief will affect school budgets is another matter.”

The school could experience another shortfall this year due to mistakes with assessed value of properties, but Evans said at this point it is just too soon to tell.

In other business, school board members:

-- Listened to a brief presentation from Kathy Walker with Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation agency.

Walker spoke about the youth tobacco survey that is conducted every two years by the state. The state uses the survey to measure the effectiveness of its tobacco cessation program for teens.

Although Covington never has participated in the survey, there is always the chance that they could be chosen this coming fall when the state survey is conducted.

Walker applauded the school for already having tobacco-free grounds, having and supporting tobacco prevention programs and also encouraging teachers and staff to quit.

-- Approved the Title I grant application that will be submitted by Jodi Schneider, the Title I coordinator.

The school district usually receives about $128,000, which is spent on personnel for the program, including Schneider, two pre-school aides and two Title I aides.

-- Learned from Evans that the kitchen renovation designs are being worked on. The design should be finished in a couple of weeks. Bidding on the kitchen work should be in October or November.

-- Hired Ashley Goodman as a third-grade teacher; Cindy Sheetz, middle school science teacher; and Ryan Sowers, head soc-cer coach.

-- Accepted the resignation of Candi Smith as third-grade teacher, and terminated Sheila Lewandowski as cafeteria worker.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Covington School Board will meet at 6:30 pm. EDT July 14 at the superintendent’s office.