July 24, 2001
Columbian band students to head to Disney World
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
Columbian students will be marching down Main Street USA during spring break 2002.
Brian Gaietto, assistant band director at Columbian High School, gave members of the Tiffin City Schools board of education information on the proposed trip to Florida.
The 141 members of the marching band and chaperones will board three buses after school on Wednesday, March 27, and return at 5 p.m. April 2. Gaietto stressed that no academic time would be missed.
The band received word that it will be participating in the "Spectra Magic'' parade in the Magic Kingdom. "It's in the evening, with all of the lights,'' Gaietto said, noting that park officials stated few high school bands march in this parade. "It's an honor and an opportunity for our kids,'' he added.
The trip is being organized by New Horizon Tour and Travel, a Jackson, Mich., travel group that specializes in band trips. Gaietto said it was the same firm used by the band four years ago.
Some of the extras offered for the trip are two security guards to keep watch from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., beepers for chaperones as a means of communication, and making arrangements for accommodations for all chaperones.
Each student's participation will cost $620, and various fund raisers will be conducted throughout the year by band members to help defray costs.
Gaietto said the performance itself will take place at 9 p.m. March 30, 2002. The student's trip will encompass most of the Disney properties. Time will be spent enjoying MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Blizzard Beach, Downtown Disney and the House of Blues.
Board members also heard the state of the district's finances from board treasurer Fred Barba. He said that although there was a 2.2 percent increase in local revenue, there was a decrease in state revenues of 1.7 percent.
"Everything seems to be flat,'' he explained. "We try to do what we can with the money we have to work with. The big problem is that the carryover is eroding. Looking at the five-year plan, by the end of 2002, we end up with $500,000 in carryover by the end of the school year. And we will be looking to the state for additional revenue.''
Barba added that personal property revenue will begin decreasing next year. "Revenue is flat,'' he said. "When we see the personal property start dropping, watch and see what happens in the next year or two.''
"Revenue continues to shift to the taxpayer,'' offered board member John Bolte. "When you read about the discussion on the state level, it is interesting to note two things. Tiffin City Schools continues to get less money, so that a higher percentage must come locally. If money doesn't come from the state, we will need to go on the ballot to receive more locally.''
Fellow member Chris English mentioned the specter of phantom revenue. "We need to let the public know, that it might look like we are cash flush,'' he stressed. "What this does is shift the burden from the state of Ohio back to the local district. That eventually goes back to the local taxpayer.''