Small Town News

USD #481 Supt. Renae Hickert addressed WC council meeting crowd about district previous, upcoming budget cuts

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A large crowd was present last Wednesday evening for the regular monthly meeting of the White City council. Most of those present were in attendance to hear a report of the local school finance situation from the USD #481 superintendent, Renae Hickert. Ms. Hickert told the crowd how the local school is financed, where the financing comes from and what lies ahead with budget cuts. The present state of school finances effects all school districts in the state. There have already been two significant cuts to school financing with the possibility of more to come. The first cut amounted to a $172,000 cut at the local level and the second was over $300,000. Several funds were used to make up those cuts, a "rob Peter to pay Paul" situation. The LOB, which is typically used more in emergencies, had to be used early this year. Since school districts have to plan early in the year for the following year, and not knowing what the state legislature might do, makes it most difficult for schools to project budgets and needed budget cuts, therefore forcing them to do the worst case scenario.

Ms. Hickert told the group, the state got to this point by allowing so many tax cuts and rebates, amounting to over $ 1 billion dollars per year. The state legislature, in essence, did nothing to prevent the shortfalls that are happening now. "We need to have EVERYONE contact their state senators and representatives and encourage them to fund education properly and adequately," she said. She encouraged people to write letters, call or go visit their legislators personally if possible. "There is not a lot of talk of how they plan to come up with adequate funds for the state budget," she commented.

"The ultimate cost to our schools is students learning along with the future of our schools and communities," she said. She told the group of lists of possible cuts for USD #481 that was presented at the last school board meeting (list was in last week's edition of The Prairie Post). More discussion will be held at the board meetings in March and April and at some local meetings of the public.

At present time, White City has a total of 232 students (K-12) and Hope has 176. From 1989 to 2006, the average enrollment at Hope was 201 and 209 at White City. Student growth has been steady at White City the past few years with this year's sophomore class growing the most at 30 students. She assured "the group that the district spends more money at White City but that the teacher count remains equal at both attendance centers. She said the implementation of the charter school at White City, with funding coming from a grant, had been a great addition to help student learning for the junior high. She also said the White City Technology Rich Classroom grant had been a very big help. The Dickinson County Foundation had recently given the Hope School a $25,000 grant for a greenhouse and all of these programs and grants had been significant improvements to the educational opportunities at the schools.

"There has always been a great rivalry, especially in sports, between the two schools within the district, but now is the time to unite and make sure our schools remain in our communities and our students are given the best education possible," Ms. Hickert said.

She told the crowd of the two scenarios presented to the legislature... first would effect only districts with less than 400 students (#481 has 408) or less than 200 square miles (#481 has 308 square miles). The second would effect any district with less than 1600 students, which is a majority of the school districts in the area.

"During this time of crisis, and this is a crisis, we need to stand together as a district to protect our schools and communities," she concluded.

Following Mrs. Hickert's presentation, the council approved the minutes and paying the bills. No library report was available. A building permit for a fence was approved.

The council approved a donation of $100 to the White City after prom party.

One fire call was made during the month of January and annual maintenance had been completed on the trucks and equipment of the fire department reported fire chief, Tracy Schmidt..

During open forum, men representing the 234th Battery at Fort Riley who has adopted White City, were introduced and shared some information with those in attendance.

Vern Hay, Morris County commissioner who serves on the Regional Planning Organization council, gave an overview of the organization and encouraged the city to become a member. Cost to the city would be approximately $250 for the first year.

Following a 10 minute break, city attorney Nina Miley, told the group of the receipt of the Small Community Improvement grant. The group will have to go to To-peka to receive the grant and work on the improvements cannot start until after March 1. The council approved paying $3500 to Ms. Miley for the many hours she spent writing the grant.

The council discussed the possibility of purchasing a new siren for the city that would send an alert to the entire town plus about a half mile beyond the city limits. After discussion, the council approved the purchase with the siren to be placed on city property south of Katy Park. The new siren would allow for battery back up in case of power failure, which the present siren does not have. The council will purchase the siren through a lease/purchase loan from Central National Bank, White City at a 4.25% interest. Cost of the new siren will be $19,992.00.

The council then met in a 15 minute executive session with the mayor, council, clerk and attorney concerning the assistant clerk position. No action was taken following the session.

The meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.



Copyright 2010 The Prairie Post, White City, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 The Prairie Post White City, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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