A feared cut in state aid this year could force St. Ignace Area Schools next year to reconsider class sizes and, possibly, teacher layoffs, Superintendent Mike Springsteen told the school board Monday evening, November 10.

"This year, more than any year that I can remember, I wouldn't be surprised that we may feel a prorated cut," he told board members. "It's because of the state of our state's economy."

For now, the state is slated to pay the school $7,316 per student.

The district is operating with a $176,000 deficit this year, which will lower its fund balance to $439,500. If the state funding allowance is reduced, the school would be forced to dip further into its fund balance, said Mr. Springsteen.

Layoffs and the resulting expanded class sizes, said Mr. Springsteen, would be areas the board would have to consider, since about 80% of the district's operating budget is consumed by personnel costs.

"I hate to mention it publicly," he said. "I don't want to cry wolf and have it not happen, but this year there's a stronger sense because of the state's budget woes."

"I don't want to scare anyone," he added, "but layoffs could be a consideration, although the last thing the school would want to do."

In other financial business, Mr. Springsteen said the district might have to pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for new sidewalks under a federal program to provide safe routes to school for students. The district received $62,235 for the program, but the school will have to pay for engineering, bid preparation, and construction management costs unless it can receive contributions from the city, county, or state.

School business manager Kathy McLeod said that the food service fund and the athletic fund are over budget, but both funds have enough money left over from previous years to cover the deficits. The athletic fund deficit is projected to be $32,550, while the food service fund could lose $23,341.

During a technology presentation to the board, first grade student teacher Samantha Luttmann projected photographs illustrating what the students had done during the first seven weeks of school.

Linnie Gustafson is class president in Holly Brown's third grade class, and was introduced at the meeting, while Jessie Frazier is the president in Pat Shiemke's class. The two third grade classes, said Ms. Brown, studied the constitution, campaigning, and the role of the president. Then they wrote their own constitution, rules, and held an election.

Language arts and social studies teacher Pat Chargo used a whiteboard to review an interactive lesson on the Jamestown Settlement he had given his students. He also said the integration of laptop computers in the classroom are helping students in the Middle School.

"I think the days of 'I talk, you listen and write' are over," he said. "I think you have to engage the kids. I'm getting more homework turned in on time this year than I think I ever have."

His daughter and student Dorothy Chargo said her grades have improved since the computers were made available.

"It's easier for me to study," she said.

The 2007/2008 annual report for the district was adopted by the board. The report serves as an overview of the district operations and provides information to residents, new community members, and those considering a move to the area.

"The St. Ignace Area Schools, as an innovative leader in providing quality and equitable education, will develop all individuals to their highest potential for living and contributing in an ever-changing world," states the district's mission.

Goals of the district are to improve student responsibility and leadership. In turn, students are expected to become cooperative contributors to the community, responsible citizens,, self-directed learners, effective communicators, and critical and creative thinkers.

The report includes information on academics, student activities, enrollment statistics, athletic offerings, technology, and drama and music. Students with special achievements are recognized under a section labeled Points of Pride. Scores from state and national tests compare St. Ignace students to their peers across Michigan and throughout the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

The report is available at the central office.

Vice President Rick Litzner was appointed to represent the board in a meeting to discuss Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP) school board professional development. The meeting will determine the future of collaborative professional development with area EUP school boards. No time has been set for the meeting.

In employee matters, the board accepted resignations from LaSalle High School special education paraprofessional Carolyn Hamel, who has been with the district for 21 years, and Sandy Thorin, who has been a bus driver since 1990.

The board granted a medical leave of absence to bus driver Frank Beaudoin for up to six months beginning after he uses his available sick days.

Winter Coaches

Winter coaches were announced at the meeting. Jason Marshall will coach boys varsity basketball and Jason Latz will coach boys junior varsity. Bob Brandstrom will coach boys seventh grade and Brian Olsen will coach the boys eighth grade team.

Dorene Ingalls will coach girls varsity basketball and Robin Kissinger will girls coach junior varsity. Girls eighth grade coach will be Angela Abrecrombie and Doug Ingalls will coach the seventh grade girls team.

Harvey Bentley will coach LaSalle High School wrestlers and Dennis Brown Jr. will coach the junior high team. Bowling will be coached by Teri Allen. Janet Warren will coach varsity cheerleading and Marilee Barthlemey will coach junior varsity cheerleading.

Elementary School Report

The school improvement team is focusing on updating language arts and mathematics plans, said Principal Kari Visnaw. The group is scheduled to meet again this week.

Grades for kindergarten through second grade students are now available on the school's Web site and parents have been given passwords to access their child's records.

The fourth grade is conducting a food drive for the St. Ignace Food Pantry. They will deliver the food November 20.

Teacher Holly Brown will join 30 other teachers from the region who will participate in a two-year program that focuses on greater proficiency in science, including teaching the use of technology and increasing the use of literature in science.

Middle School Report

Principal Gregg Fettig said Autumn Orm and Michaela North have been working with music teacher Stephanie Terpening. The two girls were chosen to join 200 other students from across the county as members of the OAKE National Children's Choir. The choir will meet in Washington D.C. in March.

Parent/teacher conferences were held in early November, said Mr. Fettig, who presented the board with attendance statistics. Parents who attended the conferences by grade included 100% of fifth grade, 59% of sixth grade, 63.5% of seventh grade, and 43.5% of eighth grade. The total percentage of parents attending conferences was 66.5%.

Parents accessing their child's accounts on the school Web site include 44.4% of elementary school parents, 78% of middle school parents, and 97.1% of high school parents, said Mr. Fettig. Parents and students have separate log-in and passwords.

Doug Ingalls and Mrs. Visnaw will introduce Michigan State Lottery winning numbers on television, but the school doesn't yet know whether it will be later this month or in May, according to Mr. Fettig.

LaSalle High School

Principal Don Gustafson said that Consolidated Community School Services would not be sponsoring the Winter Olympic Games this year.

Bill Sutter, CCSS director, told The St. Ignace News that a number of factors led to the decision to cancel the program. Among them, extra-curricular activities and gymnasium time conflict with scheduling for the inter-school program, and student participation in the Olympics has been declining over the years. He also noted that teachers needed to monitor the Olympics have been hard to get because their workloads in other areas have increased.

The quiz bowl team will be on channel 6 Wednesday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m., Mr. Gustafson told the school board. The team beat East Jordan in the competition, which was taped October 15 for later viewing.

The annual music department Christmas program will be Monday, December 1. The band and choir will perform in the gymnasium at 6 p.m.

The school board next meets Monday, December 8, at 7 p.m. in the middle school library.