School board seeks to cut nearly $300k from 2010-11 district budget PDF Print E-mail
Written by Janet Murphy   
Thursday, 07 January 2010 22:13
    At the December Chilton School Board regular meeting, Superintendent Dr. Claire Martin said that the school administration is currently working on $250,000 to $300,000 in budget reductions for the 2010-11 school year.  Martin noted that over the past 2 school years, approximately $500,000 has already been removed from the operating budget.  Martin said she believes the next reductions will be felt at the classroom level and the community level. 

    Martin said that recommended reductions will be brought before the Board at the January meeting, and she would like interested members of the community to attend this meeting to provide input and ideas.  Martin said, “I’m relying on the good will and cooperative spirit of the Chilton community to come forward to help us problem-solve and work through this in a positive environment."

    In his President’s Report, Paul Meier added that in addition to finding ways to cut expenses, he also invited people to suggest ways to generate some income.  Meier also reminded those present that the deadline for filing declaration of School Board candidacy papers is January 5th, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

    Elementary School Principal Pam Schuster told the Board about a competition currently being sponsored by U.S.Cellular in which a school can win $100,000 if it receives the most votes through voting cards available at U.S.Cellular locations such as Farm & Home.  For information, please refer to the school’s web site at www.chilton.k12.wi.us.

    Eighth-grade science teacher Mr. Kevin Johnson told the Board about the Middle School Change Challenge that raised $3200 dollars, including more than $1600 in actual coins, which was used to buy toys from Wal-Mart and gift cards from Save Alot for the Salvation Army to distribute.  Johnson acknowledged the donation of $1000 from the Chilton Lions Club, as well as the efforts of the Elementary School students who also participated in the Challenge. 

    Upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, the Board approved the Chilton Education Association’s tentative contract.  Martin clarified that under the new contract, the snow day policy will change so that now all snow days will be made up.  As a result, the snow day that occurred December 9th will be made up the Monday after Easter Sunday, and any additional snow days will extend the school year in June. 

    The Board approved the recommendations of the Building and Grounds Committee to burn the school prairie in late March or early April, and to expand the school forest to meet the prairie by planting seedlings provided by the DNR.   

    The Board approved a new course called “Introduction to Health Occupations,” which FACE instructor Ms. Jamie Koehler said would reduce scheduling conflicts that arise when students have tried to take this course through KSCADE (K-12 Schools/College Alliance for Distance Education).  Koehler said the new 1-credit course would be aligned with the Fox Valley Tech. curriculum.  The Board also approved expanding the “Child Development” class from one term to 2 terms to provide greater depth to the coursework.   

    The Board approved hiring Ms. Kristin Martin as volunteer girls’ basketball coach, and Mr. Anthony Rieth as a volunteer wrestling coach.  The Board also accepted the resignation of Custodian Mr. Terry Fluhr after 34 years of service to Chilton Public Schools. 

    The Board accepted the gift of the Bob Mlada Orchestra Music Library to the Chilton High School Instrumental Music Department.  High School Principal Dr. Tim Schaid said that the gift consists of scores of musical arrangements of modern jazz music that Mlada had played during the 1930s, 40s and 50s, which can by used by the school’s Stage Band. 
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