Indiana Senator Randy Head is scheduled to make a visit to the Argos Schools on June 30 at 1:00 P.M. Argos Superintendent Michele Riise said she hopes board members, staff , and the community will share their thoughts with Head during the visit.
Riise said several staff members had gone to the Indiana State House on March 17 and had wanted to speak with Head, but he was unavailable. However, aides working for the Senator contacted the schools at a later date and scheduled the June meeting.
Riise said, among other things, that she wants to give him a tour of the facilities and show the Senator where there are problems and how cuts in funding are making it almost impossible to start repairs. The Superintendent said they are in the process of removing a gym floor after moisture/mold was discovered and that it may be beyond repair. She also indicated that cracks in the parking lot asphalt may lead to potholes if not fixed.
Argos, like many other rural schools, is facing even more funding cuts. Riise said, “The proposed revenue for all Indiana school funding is $469,000,000. This includes public, charters, and vouchers.” Since 2010, funding for public schools has decreased approximately 2.5 million dollars, according to Riise.
During a recent school board meeting, Riise outlined the various accounts within the system including the General Fund, Debt Service Fund, Pensions Fund, Capital Projects Fund, Transportation Fund, and the Bus Replacement Fund. Monies within the Capital Project Fund are used for improvements on land, buildings and infrastructure such as technology, phone system, painting and carpeting, replacement of doors, purchasing of land, and landscaping.
Riise said, “The current accounts of Capital Projects, Debt Service, School Pension Debt, Transportation, and Bus Replacement were all affected by the circuit breaker.” “For 2015, the impact to these funds was a decrease of $50,639.33 in which our facility and grounds have been greatly affected.” Riise said.
Declining enrollment has played a major role in funding from the state. The amount of funding depends on the number of students enrolled. In the 2005-2006 school year, there were 702 students in the Argos Schools from kindergarten through grade 12. For the 2014-2015 school year, the enrollment dropped to 611 or a loss of 91 students. The declining enrollment meant a reduction over $2 million in revenue.
Riise said they are cutting costs for such areas as reducing the administration by one, reducing the number of support staff hours, implementing attrition (employees retire and positions are not filled), and reassigning certified staff to open positions. They are also utilizing grants to upgrade the 1:1 technology and continuing to implement Project Lead the Way to help students and increase revenue that comes with vocational offerings.
Carol Anders Correspondent
