RCAS sets decision date for shared superintendent

On Monday, the Rogers City Area Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a motion to set a deadline for deciding whether to proceed with Posen Consolidated Schools on the hiring of a shared superintendent. The issue has been discussed at numerous board sessions and at public meetings in both communities since summer. Rogers City schools interim superintendent Paul Mancine told the board the time was right for taking the issue to an up or down vote. The board members agreed to announce their decision at the next meeting of the board on January 9.

The board also discussed the extension of the interim superintendent contract with Mancine. The board members expressed their satisfaction with Mancine?s efforts and commended him on working to balance the different interests in the school operations. Board president Mike Marx commented that one of Mancine?s greatest assets is that he doesn?t know anyone locally and treats everyone on a fair and equal basis.

IN OTHER BUSINESS, the board agreed to proceed with the dual enrollment program with Alpena Community College. College level courses will be conducted in Rogers City at the Grambau Education Center. ?I would like to see this facility become a satellite campus for the college; it is ideally suited for the purpose, and the location is convenient for students coming from the other districts also,? Mancine said.

?This is not only a cost-saving measure but is an enhancement of the educational opportunities in the community. A student who excels in math could take advanced calculus and other college level courses while still in high school. Also, adults and retirees can take advantage of life-long learning classes,? he said. In an effort to find the necessary reductions in expenses, the board moved to reduce the support staff at the school. Two staff members were laid off, Colleen Vogler and Jane Lalonde, and the work hours for Linda Reisner were reduced. The support staff reductions are needed to make up for a $43,000 shortfall this year. Further cost cutting will be required to make up an estimated $450,000 shortfall in the projected budget for next year.

The board is also reviewing the school nurse and student success worker information with the idea that reductions may be necessary in next year?s budget. Kathy Winemiller is the school nurse and Christine Kasuba is the student success worker. The student

MARX NOTED that, in four years on the board, he expected the next year to be the one of the most difficult for him and his fellow members of the board as they try to cope with deep funding cuts and personnel layoffs. ?It?s going to be a real challenge, I think we can do it alright, but it is going to be hard,? he said. Teacher Vicki Bruder addressed the board on the issue of budget reductions noting that she has been a past student, a parent who put four children through the school system, and also a teacher. ?I realize that some of the options out there like staff reduction and curriculum gouging probably will lessen the financial burden. ?However, I hope the public knows, as all of you on the board are aware, that these actions will probably be what?s best for the district financially. I hope the Advance prints that word in bold capital letters. The key word here is FINANCIALLY. It?s pretty evident it will not be what is best for our students? success, nor our district as a whole,? Bruder said.

Mancine added that he had received many helpful comments from school staff and teachers in emails regarding the cost containment activities that need to be carried out in light of the declining enrollments and limited state funds to run the school. The board has asked MSU Extension Director David Glenn to act as a facilitator for a series of town hall meetings to allow the public to participate in the decision process on the cuts that will be required to balance the budget next year. The program will allow people to express their opinions in an open forum format. The board approved two fundraiser requests proposed by high school principal Deb Jones on behalf of the class of 2007 and the softball/baseball program in the school.

Business manager Don Schaedig presented the invoices for the month of November and payments were approved by the board, including $239,101.46 (payroll), $169,587.99 (general fund), $8,209.75 (food), $4,518 (building and site), and $899.40 (athletic) for a total of $422,316.60 in expenses for the month. The holiday dinner at the elementary school will feature ham and kielbasa this year. Board members traditionally pitch in to help serve the meals. The dinner is today (December 15) beginning at 11 a.m. for the little kids and their guests and will serve up through the grades from there.

SCHOOL SECRETARY Sarah Brege r

eported on the next school election that will be on May 2, 2006. One, four-year school board position is to be decided. Candidates have until February 7 to file petitions for the position. Jo Bush-Glenn currently holds the board seat. Teacher Mike Rivenburgh presented information to the board on replacing metal key locks with electronic devices in the future. Security concerns and the simple logistics of managing multiple keys amongst staff members could be managed better with an electronic system, according to Rivenburgh. He also noted that the system can be expanded to include energy management and CCTV monitoring.

Marx thanked the school for the production of Charles Dickens? A Christmas Carol at the elementary school gymnasium. He was impressed with the large number of students on stage and the quality of the production. Elementary students from Rogers City including those from St. Ignatius and St. John schools attended the program on Wednesday. There also was a performance on Saturday and two shows on Sunday.