The proposed reduction in state aid, a new distribution formula, and increased operating costs likely will result in a $150,000 budget deficit at St. Ignace Area Schools for the 2009/2010 school year. Considered a conservatively optimistic forecast, Superintendent Mike Springsteen said the estimated deficit includes possible stimulus money from the federal government. Without the stimulus boost, the potential budget shortfall could reach between $300,000 and $500,000.

He briefed school board members during their regular meeting Monday evening, March 9.

"That would be an optimistic forecast," said Mr. Springsteen. "I don't think it will be any better than that."

The estimated budget, he said, is based on providing the same school program as this year. Finding more revenue or reducing expenses, he said, will be needed to correct any deficit.

St. Ignace would lose between $150,000 and $362,000 in state funds, said business manager Kathy McLeod, if the state changes the way it distributes the money. The formula would use a two-year blend on the student count, rather than the current three-year blend, and would mean a loss of 29 students here.

The state also is considering cutting funding in all Michigan school districts by $59 per student, and may lose $23,000 from an isolated school program.

On the expense side, the district projects utilities costs to increase $161,000.

Mrs. McLeod said the school received $77,000 in revenue from Hiawatha Forest receipts as payment in lieu of taxes. The school was budgeting $25,000 and she said the average payment is about $50,000. She speculated the increase this year may be because the disbursement formula was changed.

The school is projecting a $52,000 budget deficit for the current school year, which would leave approximately $560,000 in the general fund at the beginning of next year.

During the meeting, the board approved 1.55% pay increases and annual contract renewals for most administrators based on recommendations from the finance committee. Mr. Springsteen requested no pay increase for the second consecutive year and will receive an annual salary of $94,494.

Annual salary increases of 1.55% approved by the board include high school principal Don Gustafson at $87,111, half-time middle school principal Gregg Fettig at $35,063, half-time elementary principal Kari Visnaw at $35,063, and business manager Kathy McLeod at $59,406.

Six non-tenured teachers will continue working toward tenured status including Andrew Long, who will be placed on his fourth year of probation for the 2009/2010 school year, and Nick Hein, who completed his second year of teaching and will be in his third year of probation in the new school year. First-year teachers Mandi Johnson, Holly Brown, Jason Latz, and Onalee Gibson will be placed in their second year of probation for the coming school year. Educators are granted tenure after successfully completing four years of probationary teaching.

In other business, the school will be part of a year-long study to assess the potential for wind energy production on the school grounds. The study, said Mr. Springsteen, comes at no cost to the school and will determine the feasibility of utilizing wind power.

A regional discussion on the state of schools in the Eastern Upper Peninsula is being organized by Peter Everson, superintendent of the EUP Intermediate School District, and administrators and board members have been invited to an initial meeting Thursday, April 9, at Rudyard.

"This would include exploring the possibilities, pitfalls, restrictions, and potential benefits of a change in the way we [collectively] provide administration, oversight, and the actual delivery of education of our students," he wrote.

He said he envisions at least three brainstorming sessions over the next several months, culminating with a written report.

Mr. Springsteen reported that the district has canceled classes four days this winter, three for ice and one for snow, and can do so one more day without having to make up the time.

LaSalle High School

Principal Don Gustafson said that during February parentteacher conferences 63 parents (27%) attended the meetings. Participating is down slightly from last year's 29% rate.

Middle School Principal Gregg Fettig said students are getting ready for the Upper Peninsula spelling bee finals in Iron Mountain Wednesday, March 18. Four students from St. Ignace will be participating, which is one of the largest number of students representing the school.

Elementary School

Principal Kari Visnaw said Lights, Camera, Action - Read, is the theme for March into Reading. Board members entered the library for Monday night's meeting by walking on the red carpet, just one of many creative decorations around the school used to highlight reading month.

Classrooms have chosen a book and will watch a movie made from the book, she said, to put to use their learning exercise of comparing and contrasting.

Seventh grade students again won the after school activity challenge. Teacher Doug Ingalls' class took the top spot for February and will be treated to lunch. Mr. Ingalls teaches mathematics and social studies. Last month, Trudy Olsen's seventh grade students showed the most increase in activity. Mrs. Olsen teaches language arts and science.

The school board will meet Monday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the middle school library.