Lew-Port budget ready for adoption

by Janet Schultz
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, April 19, 2008

The Lewiston Porter Board of Education plans to adopt a $40,426,958 budget for the 2008-09 school year.

The budget contains no increase in the property tax levy, even though it is $1.6 million above this year’s budget of $38.8 million. For district property owners, this represents the second time in six years that there has been no increase in the tax levy.

Board President Robert Laub announced that the district would be receiving a $968,858 (7.19 percent) increase in state aid. That amount was more than the $455,000 provided in the governor’s budget proposal.

The board cited three areas that will benefit from a move to transfer $100,000 in the legal fee line to other areas. Those areas include music, science and the hiring of a part-time athletic director/part-time vice principal for the middle school.

Their discussion of a part-time athletic director and part-time vice principal for the middle school revealed it would benefit the district in two major areas. At the present time a faculty member is serving as an athletic director for a $20,000/year stipend, and due to his status is now allowed to evaluate other faculty who serve as coaches. Hiring an athletic director would eliminate this conflict of interest. Naming that person as a part-time vice principal would provide for an assistant to the principal’s position in the Middle School.

The music and science departments had submitted proposals for new instruments and new science laboratory equipment, which would total $16,631. The board agreed these items were needed.

Interim Superintendent Don Rappold also voiced a concern that monies be allocated for some of the $890,000 suggested upgrades in technology at the schools.

There were sentiments expressed among the board that the school district is lagging behind in the technology area after reviewing an audit that was presented to members at their March meeting.

The recent upgrades were not included, because it was felt the board hasn’t had the time to review the entire audit and have discussions with school administrators.

One of the major proposals that will be revisited in the 2009-2010 budget year is a request for Lewiston-Porter to take its club ice hockey team to varsity status. Board members felt that the athletic director needs to be in place and have the opportunity to review the proposal and make the proper recommendation.

The majority of the board indicated that night they can live with this budget as presented. Board member Edward Lilly was not in attendance and member Scott A. Stepien was undecided.

After adoption by the Board of Education, the budget will go to the voters at the May 20 budget/board referendum.

In an update this week, the board announced that a special meeting, called by Lilly, will be held on Monday, April 21, at 7 p.m. to address financial considerations related to the district’s legal assistance to former board members Dave Schaubert and Louis Palmeri who were among those named in a suit filed earlier from Lilly. Open to the public, the session will take place in the board meeting room at the Creek Road Community Resource Center.