School board considers facility projects,
repairs
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Ball-Chatham Board of Education heard the annual Operations and Facilities and Grounds
reports at Monday's special meeting.
In addition, the board dealt with a student discipline issue out of closed session. The board voted
to expel a Glenwood Middle School student for the remainder of the current school year.
The board heard a number of suggested repair projects that are needed at district facilities in the
coming years. Supt. Bob Gillum said the proposals will be taken under consideration and a
recommendation of projects to approve for fiscal year 2011 will be presented to the board for vote at
the Feb. 22 meeting.
•The district also continues to deal with budget shortfalls due to state aid and categorical
payments not coming in on time. In fact, Gillum said the district does not expect all of its categorical
payments due this fiscal year to be received before June 30, but he hopes they will be received soon
thereafter.
School districts all over the state are dealing with the very same issues, and some are
considering cuts, including those to staff. Gillum said the Ball-Chatham is looking at all scenarios,
including those that would include a balanced budget or one that would deficit spend, with reserves to
make up the difference.
"We are not in as bad of a situation as some districts," Gillum said. "We have cash in the bank to
weather part of the storm, at least in the short term. I think it's difficult to say we're going to be cutting
folks when we have reserves at the present time."
Still, with state aid in flux and not able to be counted on in a consistent fashion, proposals to trim
services or personnel may have to be considered. Personnel decisions for the next school year are
typically made at the March meetings.
Gillum said he and District Interim CSBO Dr. Brent McArdle continue to work on the budget on a
daily basis, with figures constantly being adjusted based on state payments that do come in and
projections for when and if they ever will.
repairs
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Ball-Chatham Board of Education heard the annual Operations and Facilities and Grounds
reports at Monday's special meeting.
In addition, the board dealt with a student discipline issue out of closed session. The board voted
to expel a Glenwood Middle School student for the remainder of the current school year.
The board heard a number of suggested repair projects that are needed at district facilities in the
coming years. Supt. Bob Gillum said the proposals will be taken under consideration and a
recommendation of projects to approve for fiscal year 2011 will be presented to the board for vote at
the Feb. 22 meeting.
•The district also continues to deal with budget shortfalls due to state aid and categorical
payments not coming in on time. In fact, Gillum said the district does not expect all of its categorical
payments due this fiscal year to be received before June 30, but he hopes they will be received soon
thereafter.
School districts all over the state are dealing with the very same issues, and some are
considering cuts, including those to staff. Gillum said the Ball-Chatham is looking at all scenarios,
including those that would include a balanced budget or one that would deficit spend, with reserves to
make up the difference.
"We are not in as bad of a situation as some districts," Gillum said. "We have cash in the bank to
weather part of the storm, at least in the short term. I think it's difficult to say we're going to be cutting
folks when we have reserves at the present time."
Still, with state aid in flux and not able to be counted on in a consistent fashion, proposals to trim
services or personnel may have to be considered. Personnel decisions for the next school year are
typically made at the March meetings.
Gillum said he and District Interim CSBO Dr. Brent McArdle continue to work on the budget on a
daily basis, with figures constantly being adjusted based on state payments that do come in and
projections for when and if they ever will.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: Feb. 11, 2010