State aid projections for schools show drop

By DEB WUETHRICH

The Tecumseh School District could lose approximately $160,000 for the 2008-2009 school year according to the latest projections surrounding per student foundation allowance figures. Bill Wright, Director of Business and Finance, informed school board members Monday night that according to the Michigan School Business Officials, districts could expect foundation allowance prorations by $50 to $75 per student. Schools are awaiting official results to be shared at the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference to be held on January 9, 2009.

“We’re hearing how the amount continues to go downward in respect to the overall Michigan economy,” said Wright. He said that the district is beginning to prepare its first 2008-2009 budget revision and once the 2009 Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference takes place, foundation allowance prorations would be included in the revision, which should come before the board by the January 22 meeting.

 Also at the meeting, Jason Mensing, THS varsity football coach, and Kristalyn Musselman, THS varsity girls softball coach, presented a plan to form a Student Athlete Advisory Council. Student leaders would be identified from various sports teams and selected to form the council representing all grade levels. Mensing and Musselman would serve as advisors with Athletic Director Grif Mills overseeing the group. The membership would spread across the different sports and promote school spirit as well as providing a means to address concerns regarding regulations or other matters.
“There are really three objectives,” Mensing said. “For community service, we would work together on some projects for student athletes to represent our schools and sports teams. Secondly, this would bring student athletes together more across the sports.” He said perhaps there could be a brother or sister sport, such as the football team partnering with the girl’s swim team, cheering each other on. “It could foster some of that cooperation among sports that should happen.”

The third component is to give students a voice, the pair said. Mensing said that the organization is an NCAA sponsored organization and several high schools have them. “It’s just something we might like to bring to Tecumseh,” Mensing said.

“We want it to be an honor to be a part of this,” said Musselman. “It would be a way to try to increase community and school spirit and maintain a positive vision of Tecumseh athletics,” she said. They said this group would be different from something like the Varsity Club by promoting the working together of various teams sport by sport and getting the leaders together. The school board is scheduled to consider the formation of the group at the December 8 meeting.

The board also discussed some problems the district has been having over students driving to the LISD TECH Center programs. Students are expected to ride the bus unless they have authorization to drive under special circumstances. Some changes are being made to the High School Handbook policy with more restrictions on driving privileges to address the issues.

“We have had more incidents this year than the last four years combined,” said THS Assistant Principal Dennis Niles. He said there were five or six infractions last year and already this year that count is up to 35. The incidents include accidents, reports of unsafe, reckless, and careless driving, and the hauling of other students not registered as passengers. Niles said he recently warned the students, but there were more infractions within a few days. Of special concern are instances where those driving are transporting other passengers. Niles said that statistics show that any time passengers are increased by one, the risk of an accident goes up by 25 percent, and the school district bears that risk.
“You have students texting or talking on the cell phone, just like with adults,” said Niles. He and THS Principal Bob Scheick said that some parents actually have stated that they would like to see the more restrictive policy. Scheick said he talked to at least one parent that was relieved not to have to worry about it if the policy simply did not allow the driving. Action on the handbook revision likely would take place at the December 8 meeting.

“If we prevent even one accident, it’s worth it,” said Tecumseh Board of Education president Debbie Johnson-Burges.

Wright also notified the board of an agreement with the Tecumseh Association of Educational Office Personnel for a salary increase of 1.5 percent effective July 1, 2008, with a change in insurance carrier and 10 percent employee contribution towards the premium.