State Senator Jason Allen visited our school last week. We had a “town hall” forum with students in grades kindergarten through 12. They asked him many questions about his job, the economy, and the state budget.

That evening, I met with the employees of Engadine Consolidated Schools. Looking forward to next school year, the budget is pretty dismal. The state is projecting a reduction in our per-pupil funding of between $300 to $1,000 per student. This type of reduction would eliminate the fund balance we have remaining, and leave us in a deficit. What that means to Engadine schools is that we will have to make significant changes to how we operate to reduce costs by approximately $300,000. We have been reducing costs for the past eight years, so this presents significant challenges.

We will be scheduling a community budget workshop in the near future. We’d like those interested in our school to attend and bring their questions and ideas to help us solve the budgeting crisis. I also would ask that each of you contact your legislators to tell them to fix the budget. Michigan’s budget is upside-down right now, with not enough revenue to support expenditures. We need to fix the structural problems of the state budget now. Our children deserve a great education.

Upcoming events at the school are: Athletic Banquet Tuesday, December 1, 7 p.m.; High School Band (6th – 12th grades) Concert Thursday, December 3, 7 p.m.; No School – Teacher Inservice Day Tuesday, December 8; Newcomb Tournament Wednesday, December 9, 2:15 p.m.; Senior Citizen Luncheon Wednesday, December 16, noon.

There is no school this Thursday and Friday in celebration of Thanksgiving. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Students of the Week

Jacob Spencer, Sarah Wyse, and Andrew Legault are Students of the Week at Engadine Consolidated Schools for the week of November 23.

Jacob Spencer is a student in the Vocational Education class. He has been diligent about doing his best work throughout the year and his attitude about getting to work and doing his best is fantastic, reports John Krenek.

Mr. Spencer is someone other students look up to. His positive influence has been appreciated by his teacher. He is willing to ask for help, patiently waits his turn for use of equipment, and is always willing to help another student.

Sarah Wyse has been selected as the Engadine Junior High School Student of the Week. This year Miss Wyse has become more active in class participation and strives to do well in all her classes, her teachers say. She is conscious of due dates and tries hard to meet or exceed them in all classes. Her personality is positive and her smile lights up the hallways each day.

She is working hard and participates in activities. Whenever she is needed to do a task, she is willing to try anything, teachers report.

She is the daughter of Tim and Lauri Wyse.

Andrew Legault, son of Charles and Rhonda Legault of Engadine, is the Elementary Student of the Week. Second grade teacher Megen Hood notes his enthusiasm for learning excites other students. Mr. Legault is full of interesting stories and loves to help others. He is serious about his school work, but he likes to have fun, too. Science and reading about volcanoes are pursuits he enjoys.