Tough questions about schools continue
5/01/01
Staff Writer


The Lakewood Board of Education fielded more tough questions
about the expected budget crunch at Thursday's meeting at the
Woodland school gym.

Six citizens spoke to budget items at the citizen comment part of
the agenda, and about 40 people attended.

The citizens questioned the board about administrative and teacher
pay raises in light of the projected decline in student enrollment.

They questioned if the board was aware of the projected decline and
if so, challenged why the raises were figured into the budget and
asked if the impact of the raises was studied.

One citizen asked why the district has more administrators in 2000
than it did in 1982 when there are 200 fewer students now. The
number of secretaries for the administrators was also mentioned. 

Board President Joel Pepper said the district needs that number of
administrators to run the quality programs.

Sunfield Village President Ron Wells asked what areas of the budget
are being adjusted in light of the deficit.

Pepper said nothing specific, but items are being adjusted.

John Fisher from Sunfield questioned the rationale for raises in
administrator contracts with the projected loss.

Board member Perry Strimback said the contracts fit into the current
budget. Don Schelter from Woodland said the contracts are for three
years and though they may fit in this year, subsequent years will
have to include them.

The board members then reported on their findings after the four
community meetings. Pam Christensen said the district should stay
away from busing as a solution, but did not rule out split classes.
She said she believed in the LEAP program but thought it could be
streamlined.

"We may cut items this year, but perhaps we can add them back
next year."

Tim Tromp said the board is looking at administrative cuts.

"We have fat to cut." He said he was confident the district can do
belt tightening and get through this crisis. "Remember it is not 'us
against you. You are us and we are you.'"

He said the board has to involve the whole district, including the
community governments, if it hopes to make Lakewood a more
attractive district.

Dave Bulling said the board will look at LEAP. He said he wants to
see administrative cuts. He also expressed concerns that auto shop
is offered at the high school when a similar program is offered at
Heartlands.

Strimback asked if adjustments could be made in administrative and
custodial departments. He asked about getting central purchasing
for supplies. He also suggested the district look at out-source
busing.

"No decisions have been made. We are still doing research and
appreciate your input."

Tim Possehn said all decisions needed to be educationally sound,
fiscally sound and socially responsible.

"We have to look at each item to see if we will keep it, change it or
scratch it." He tried to reassure the audience and said, "It's going to
be OK."

Jeff Stalter asked about the new bus purchases.

Superintendent Gunnard Johnson said the district could sell the new
buses, but then would have to turn around and buy new ones in a
few years at a higher cost.

Tromp asked about out-sourcing bus maintenance.

Johnson said the board is looking at bus options of having students
in town walk to school, eliminating the frequent stops the buses
make now.

Christensen asked about pay to play. She said she wanted to get a
community survey to see where parents stand on the subject.

In other business the board:

• Learned of five candidates for the two positions for June's school
board election - Tom Possehn, Jr., Jeff Stalter, Gary Mattson, Robert
D. Hyvarinen and Stephen M. Louthan. The two positions originally
were filled by Ramona Stambaugh and Dennis Smith in the 1997
election. Both Stambaugh and Smith resigned last fall. The board
took applications for the two seats and in an interview process,
Possehn and Stalter were chosen to fill the remaining half-year for
the two seats.

• Approved a curriculum review. This is a six-year curriculum cycle.
Every curricular area will be in one of four phases each year —
research, development, implementation or evaluation.

• Heard Woodland Principal Dan Wallace give his annual report on
Woodland Elementary. He said this has been a year of change.
There are 14 changes in the teaching staff. Some teachers have
retired and some shifted to different grades.

He said the four focuses at Woodland are on MEAP, citizenship,
school environment and special events. One way to raise MEAP
scores is called gap analysis. He said the teachers found they are
instructing students in some math concepts a few weeks after the
MEAPs are given. If the concepts were taught two weeks earlier, the
results would be a higher MEAP scores.

• Heard Johnson report that wrestling coach Bob Veitch was named
coach of the year by a Lansing newspaper.

• Was encouraged to donate blood Friday, April 27, from 2 to 8 p.m.
at West Elementary in memory of Dennis Richardson, West's
principal who passed away last year.

• Learned there will be a demonstration of "Bridges," a new reading
program Thursday April 26 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the high school
auditorium

The next board meeting is Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at West
Elementary.