schools/in other words
october6
Schools Update: Impact of NOT Passing the Bond
By Aaron Miller
There has been much discussion and informa-
tion provided about what facility improvements will
occur if the Vernonia School District’s (VSD) bond
passes in November. There have also been many ques-
tions about the impact on the VSD if the bond does not
pass.
Approximately 80% of any school district’s
budget covers staffing costs. While a passed Bond is
not able to pay for staff and daily operations in the
building, it will refinance the District’s debt, freeing up
over $400,000 annually in general fund dollars that can
be used for staff and daily operations.
If the bond is defeated, the District will have to
pay these debt payments completely from the general
fund, impacting staff and daily operations. The follow-
ing adjustments would be potential options for balanc-
ing the budget under this scenario:
• Cutting days of school: Approximate savings =
$26,650/day; 15 days of school would need to be cut to
balance the budget.
• Cutting Teaching Positions: Approximate savings =
$86,550/teacher (Salary/Benefits/Payroll Costs/etc.)
4.7 Teachers would need to be cut to balance the budget
• Cutting Instructional Assistants: Approximate sav-
ings = $44,700/assistant (Salary/Benefits/Payroll
Costs/etc.); 9 Instructional Assistants would need to be
cut to balance the budget
In addition to the monetary costs of the Dis-
trict’s debt, there are several “Losses of Productivity”
that must be accounted for as well. Having been in re-
covery mode for almost 10 years, countless hours have
been spent working to rebuild our schools, and pay off
the debt incurred that allowed our students to enter this
building on time.
11
2016
While these efforts have been effective they
have come with costs. These costs of raising funds to
address our situation have taken time away from our
mission to support student learning. Some of these
costs include:
• Administrative work hours to raise funds, and try
to find alternative sources of money that will provide
funding to cover our construction debt.
• Time spent by the VSD Board and Vernonia Educa-
tion Foundation Board to do the same.
• Cuts in staffing have increased workloads and forced
several employees to cover multiple roles at school.
• A decrease in funding for supplies, field trips and
other classroom needs.
The VSD will meet its financial obligations,
and live within a balanced budget, as dictated by law.
Some combination of these cuts will be necessary in
next year’s budget if the Bond does not pass.
Your Horoscope for October 2016
By Stacey Lynn
I feel like a broken record.
There will be more tests, trials and
events to help us grow our souls and
to work on how we choose to re-
spond to hardship.
Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) You may
be too logical to be romantic this
month. Assert yourself, stand out,
lead and have the ability to man-
age your professional situation. Ex-
pect challenges related to rivalries
and competition. Financially you do
well, but pay attention to home and
property. Relax, approach things me-
thodically without rushing or useless
overload.
Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) This
is a crazy month for you. The first
half, you are happy, sexy and get
noticed. After the 18th you may feel
alone, blocked, misunderstood or
frustrated. Don’t be surprised if there
are financial difficulties or misunder-
standings regarding money. Work
behind the scenes the first half of the
month and there will be success in
the second half. Health is better after
the 18th.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec.
21) From the 5th - 24th your love
life sees challenges, forced changes
or conflicts. Even if things seem to
end poorly, this will be to your ben-
efit later on. You are going through
a time of luck and popularity. Your
head is full of grand projects and you
find the support to make things hap-
pen. General health is better than it
has been.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) You
are in for a passionate month. If you
are a woman, you may want to re-
fine your strong approach. Career
chances of success are high, even
if your income isn’t great, it shows
signs of improving. You have a lot
of energy, but do not neglect your
health. Chronic and contagious ill-
nesses lurk in the shadows. Control
your energy and impulses.
Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) It is a
great time for romantic travel, spiri-
tual journeys beside your loved one
or discovering new facets of your-
self. You enjoy popularity and attract
cerebral people. Finances are good
as long as you keep your books clear
and honest. You may be feeling rest-
less or have sleeping issues. Ten-
dencies toward addictions might be
heightened.
Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) Love
may be linked to travel or loving
someone from afar. Money is cer-
tainly a priority. You are active in
group projects or collective events
on the horizon. The second half of
the month is good for career op-
portunities. Mentally things could be
better. Protect, take care of yourself
and get plenty of rest.
Aries (March 21 - April 19) Octo-
ber finds you happier, healthier and
full of love. Your loved ones are your
universe. You need affection and you
have the ability to offer it in return.
Any frustrations improve after the
18th. First half of the month brings
extra money and collaborations in all
forms. Avoid excess and don’t take
chances.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20) This is
a good time to take advantage of
anything that will improve your love
life. Things will be more sober after
the 18th. The work load is big but
you fulfill all tasks well. Team work is
important to success. Health could
give you trouble. It is either full blown
or you decide to take measures to
solve old issues. Do it now!
Gemini (May 21 - June 20) The
second half of the month is a great
time for couples. Professionally
you will be in the right place at the
right time. Financially, avoid care-
lessness, speculation or rushing. It
will cost you. A risk of accidents is
possible, so show restraint. Avoid
doing business with friends and
having unpleasant discussions
about money with your partner.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22) Be-
ware of Love/Hate relationships.
You know the one. Partnerships,
collaborations or contracts may
generate stress, but you are lucky
in real-estate and long term invest-
ments in the first part of the month.
Prolonged stress weakens your im-
mune system and opens pathways
to illnesses. Relax, move and step
back from demanding situations.
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) Love could
be found in travel. Leos are quite
lucky this month. Words either writ-
ten or spoken are very powerful. At
work, underlings may cause you
trouble. Money is not an issue this
month for Leos, but health is. Treat
known illnesses and do your best to
not catch new ones. Avoid over-ex-
haustion and excesses of all kinds.
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) From the
7th - 24th Virgo relationships blos-
som. This month promises profes-
sional achievement. Success will at-
tract material earnings. Manage your
finances wisely and honestly. You’re
in good shape and have a lot of en-
ergy, but stress or hurry may bring
about accidents or other issues.
Vernonia
Veterinary Clinic
Small and Large Animals
Open
Mon, Wed & Saturday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Call for Appointments
(503) 429-1612
Or 24 hr. Emergency Number (503) 397-6470
700 Weed Ave. Vernonia, OR
VERNONIA
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For fast
cash!
Joseph Dombek, DC
(971) 248-4055
010412
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• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry
• Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction
• Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements
Jim Morrison, Jr.
General Contractor
CCB# 112057
Ph: (503) 429-0154
MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net
Vernonia, OR 97064
• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
2245 Baseline St., Cornelius
(Across from Fred Meyer)
503-530-8119
State Licensed PB-0388
Open
everyday
at 9 a.m.
