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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 7, 2009)
Page 12 The INDEPENDENT, May 7, 2009 Banks School Board works hard to find budget cuts Banks school board contin- ued its grim task of deciding which staff and programs to eliminate or reduce in next year’s budget, during their April meetings. Fortunately, at regu- lar board meetings presenta- tions from a variety of programs provide a little relief, as did a presentation by high school history teacher Ben Buchanan of students’ trip to Italy during spring break. During a workshop prior to the business meeting, business manager Simon Levear report- ed that the final $69,000 neces- sary to balance the budget for the current school year has been resolved by negotiation with staff. Levear gave a brief presen- tation about the reduction of the state school fund resulting in a revenue loss of at least $760,000 and possibly as much as $1,240,000. Both Lev- ear and Superintendent Marv Ott stressed that the adminis- trative team will make recom- mendations to the budget com- mittee, but the board will make the final decision. The adminis- trative team will develop a pro- posed budget for the 2009-10 school year, and superintend- ent Ott will deliver the budget message on May 14 at the committee’s first meeting of the year. A second meeting, to re- view the budget, is tentatively scheduled for May 28. The budget approved by the com- mittee will be presented to the board for adoption on June 8, at the regular board meeting. At that point the board can make additional changes if desired. In order to inform the public and elicit their comments, the board previously asked the ad- ministrative team to develop a detailed list of potential reduc- tions. Every administrator iden- tified lists of items “on the chop- ping block”, with the dollar amount of each and a descrip- tion of the potential effects of reducing that item. The poten- tial reductions totaled nearly $2.3 million, allowing for and requiring difficult decisions. Re- spondents were asked to select whether or not to reduce each item on the survey. The survey was distributed at the April 27 meeting; the results will be compiled by Levear and pre- sented at the May 11 meeting. A lively give and take discus- sion followed the presentation of the survey. It was explained that federal funds can be used only according to very specific rules and regulations. Several See School on page 14 A Night of fun 5/14/09 Banks Christian Academy Arrest made in High School fire The Washington County Sheriff’s office arrested a 13- year-old seventh grader at Banks Middle School, after new information was received regarding a fire at Banks High School in September, 2008. The fire caused approxi- mately $20,000 worth of dam- age. At the time, the cause was unknown. The boy was arrested April 24, and turned over to the cus- tody of the Washington County Juvenile Department; he was subsequently released to his parents. The investigation con- tinues, but no further arrests are expected. Kustom rd Klutte a Y WAI Inc. r Auction, Dinner & Bingo Friday, May 15 5/14/09 We have everything you need to make Mom Breakfast in Bed or Dinner at 6 p.m. Bingo at 7 p.m. Dinner Tickets $6.50 Custom Hand Crafted Yard Ornaments, Fences & Decks For dinner tickets call 503-429-4500 22785 NW Fisher Rd. Buxton 97109 Mark Hamm 503-324-7317 or 503-319-5228 330A S Main St.,Banks Challenging academics, Christian values and small class sizes. www.bankschristianacademy.org CCB#164221 a Special Mother’s Day Dinner Just the finest in collision repair No Custom Work CHERRY PRODUCTS 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171 Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993