Some new inhabitants will be living in the house between the elementary and secondary schools in the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker School District, and this will help bring in some revenue for the district.
Spanish teacher Stephanie Segroves and her husband are willing to sponsor at least two foreign exchange students and live in the superintendent’s house. The house has most recently been inhabited by Superintendent Bob Smith, who has another residence and has been moving his belongings out of the house between the two schools. By having two foreign exchange students live in the house, the district will earn about $14,400 in state aid. Smith noted this amount would be reduced due to some furniture acquisition ($2,000 to $5,000), but “a $9,000 increase is still helpful.”
Consistent with current practice, the district will cover heating, electrical and repair costs at no charge to the Segroves. In turn, the Segroves would be responsible for grounds keeping and for taking care of the foreign exchange students they sponsor.
The Segroves are working with the International Student Exchange (ISE) program, which is locally coordinated by Liz Bowers.
At a recent meeting, the school board approved this plan.
In other business, the board approved a resolution to secure a $900,000 state-funded loan. This amount matches last year’s amount borrowed. The loan is needed because the school district receives no state aid for one month. This is due to the difference in fiscal years between the state and the school district. This causes cash flow issues. School districts across the state need to borrow each year because of this same reason. The amount of money borrowed differs between districts. Once the district starts receiving state aid again, the loan is paid back.
The board also approved a resolution to lay off one special education teacher as of July 1. The district’s 2014-15 special education budget is $129,000 in deficit, according to school officials. Special education is funded from the state as well as through local funds from the Huron Intermediate School District’s special education millage. The teacher to be laid off is not being named at this time.
Board members also approved a new provider for custodial/maintenance services - Schuette Services LLC, operated by Randy Schuette. This company was the low bidder in a bidding process the district conducted to comply with state Best Practices standards. Schuette Services also serves Cass City Public Schools and will be serving Reese Schools. Schuette Services will replace D.M. Burr Facilities Management. All of the D.M. Burr custodial staff will have the opportunity to apply to Schuette Services, according to Laker officials.
In other business, the board discussed the work that will be done this summer in the sinking fund project. These projects include hallway and classroom entrance improvements, parking lot resurfacing, locker room plumbing renovations, etc.
Laker Secondary School Principal Brian Keim said the bids for Phase 2 - next summer's projects - will likely be rebid toward the end of this calendar year. These include the science lab and student center improvements.
Also during the recent meeting, the school board accepted with regret the retirement of paraprofessional Sheila Yackle, who has worked for the district for more than 20 years. She most recently worked in the secondary school media center. She was the final paraprofessional to take the retirement incentive of $2,500. This incentive was offered to the first three who decided to take it. The other two were Nan Stalter and Bernie Kolar.
In addition, Laker Elementary Principal Kathy Dickens introduced the board to Janet Yageman, who will be teaching at a new preschool that will be housed at the elementary school starting this fall. The preschool is called Creative Connections Preschool – Joyful Journeys for Curious Children. It will be for 3 and 4-year-olds. This preschool will be offered to Laker parents as well as parents outside the district. Those who would like more information on this preschool can contact Yageman at (248) 495-6634 or at [email protected].
Spanish teacher Stephanie Segroves and her husband are willing to sponsor at least two foreign exchange students and live in the superintendent’s house. The house has most recently been inhabited by Superintendent Bob Smith, who has another residence and has been moving his belongings out of the house between the two schools. By having two foreign exchange students live in the house, the district will earn about $14,400 in state aid. Smith noted this amount would be reduced due to some furniture acquisition ($2,000 to $5,000), but “a $9,000 increase is still helpful.”
Consistent with current practice, the district will cover heating, electrical and repair costs at no charge to the Segroves. In turn, the Segroves would be responsible for grounds keeping and for taking care of the foreign exchange students they sponsor.
The Segroves are working with the International Student Exchange (ISE) program, which is locally coordinated by Liz Bowers.
At a recent meeting, the school board approved this plan.
In other business, the board approved a resolution to secure a $900,000 state-funded loan. This amount matches last year’s amount borrowed. The loan is needed because the school district receives no state aid for one month. This is due to the difference in fiscal years between the state and the school district. This causes cash flow issues. School districts across the state need to borrow each year because of this same reason. The amount of money borrowed differs between districts. Once the district starts receiving state aid again, the loan is paid back.
The board also approved a resolution to lay off one special education teacher as of July 1. The district’s 2014-15 special education budget is $129,000 in deficit, according to school officials. Special education is funded from the state as well as through local funds from the Huron Intermediate School District’s special education millage. The teacher to be laid off is not being named at this time.
Board members also approved a new provider for custodial/maintenance services - Schuette Services LLC, operated by Randy Schuette. This company was the low bidder in a bidding process the district conducted to comply with state Best Practices standards. Schuette Services also serves Cass City Public Schools and will be serving Reese Schools. Schuette Services will replace D.M. Burr Facilities Management. All of the D.M. Burr custodial staff will have the opportunity to apply to Schuette Services, according to Laker officials.
In other business, the board discussed the work that will be done this summer in the sinking fund project. These projects include hallway and classroom entrance improvements, parking lot resurfacing, locker room plumbing renovations, etc.
Laker Secondary School Principal Brian Keim said the bids for Phase 2 - next summer's projects - will likely be rebid toward the end of this calendar year. These include the science lab and student center improvements.
Also during the recent meeting, the school board accepted with regret the retirement of paraprofessional Sheila Yackle, who has worked for the district for more than 20 years. She most recently worked in the secondary school media center. She was the final paraprofessional to take the retirement incentive of $2,500. This incentive was offered to the first three who decided to take it. The other two were Nan Stalter and Bernie Kolar.
In addition, Laker Elementary Principal Kathy Dickens introduced the board to Janet Yageman, who will be teaching at a new preschool that will be housed at the elementary school starting this fall. The preschool is called Creative Connections Preschool – Joyful Journeys for Curious Children. It will be for 3 and 4-year-olds. This preschool will be offered to Laker parents as well as parents outside the district. Those who would like more information on this preschool can contact Yageman at (248) 495-6634 or at [email protected].