Community forum planned for January 30 to discuss school budget situation

The Rogers City School Board of Education moved briskly through a light agenda Monday before dismissing to executive session to discuss bargaining strategies. Upcoming contract negotiations with unions for the teachers and the support staff led to the executive session, which followed a 58-minute meeting. Before that, the board set a meeting date to get more input from the community regarding the budget situation for the coming months. Monday, January 30 is the date and 6:30 p.m. is the time when the public is invited to give ideas to the board in a give-and-take forum. This meeting replaces a previously scheduled workshop set for January 23.

It is well known that all schools in the state of Michigan face tough decisions regarding staffing and programming in light of reduced funding. The budget problem in Rogers City is compounded by the fact the enrollment is declining, bringing in less money each year. The board has said dramatic cuts must be made to keep the school budget balanced. Personnel and programming cuts are likely in the coming school year or possibly sooner. What to cut is the question.

?WE NEED as much help from the public as possible,? said board president Mike Marx. ?The information will help lead us to the best decisions possible for this school district.? Michigan State University cooperative extension director Dave Glenn will facilitate the meeting designed to bring out ideas and encourage open dialogue between the board and the public. The meeting will be staged in the Grambau Center. Earlier in the meeting, the board recognized bus mechanic Dennis Spens for outstanding efforts. The RC busses earned a 100 percent passing rate from the Michigan State Police for the second year in a row, putting the RC transportation system in an elite group, safety-wise. Marx presented Spens with a certificate of recognition from the MSP, and commended bus drivers Aaron Spens, Karl Grambau, Mary Fairbanks, Jackie Quaine, Ed LaLonde, Keith Vogelheim, Tom Radka and Kirk Schaedig for their safety record over the past two years.

PRINCIPAL DEB Jones reported that first semester exams were being administered Thursday and Friday, with half-day sessions set for

each day. There is no school Monday. She said the eighth grade ?explorer ACT? test would be given January 26-27 with results available to parents and student. The basketball homecoming game is set for February 9 with the dance February 10. Solo and ensemble band competitions are also planned for February 10. She said a grant to construct informational kiosks for the Herman Vogler Area and Seagull Point Park has been secured. Wood shop classes will most likely construct the kiosks and seventh grade science classes, taught by Arianne Romel and Holly Wirgau, supplying information on the soils and plants in the parks.

?It is a wonderful project the students and community can work on together,? Jones told the board. Jones hopes those who contribute to and construct the kiosks can attend a dedication in the spring. Assistant principal Melissa Wozniak said turnout was outstanding for the annual Christmas program in December. She also reported the Drama Club had tryouts Monday and Tuesday for the next play, titled ?When Dorothy meets Alice,? featuring actors from kindergarten through the eighth grade. The play will be staged at the Elementary School.