District 88 OKs operating budget

Mulls sale of

student-built house

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The District 88 Board of Education Thursday approved an operating budget for next year that puts spending at roughly $22.2 million and revenues at about $21.5 million.

This year's expenditures are budgeted at about $21.7 million and revenues at some $22.2 million.

Next year's nearly $700,000 deficit is largely due to the need to complete an unusual amount of mold removal and cleanup work this summer, according to Business Manager Donna Luhring. The 2004 budget is based on the assumption that two-thirds of the mold removal and cleanup projects under way now, will be paid for during the next fiscal year.

The budget is also based on factors such as changes in state funding, a projected increase in funds for some federal programs, and an assumption that current enrollment trends will persist. It reflects seniority increases for staff but not any potential increases that might result from ongoing negotiations with all employee groups.

Luhring stressed Thursday that while the budget needs to be passed by July 1, amendments will need to be voted on at least once, but probably twice, during next year, as more details in state and federal funding and other factors are clarified.

The school district has $3 million in reserves to cover deficit situations (of which $1 million is restricted in terms of how it can be spent).

Student-built house

The board also discussed a course of action for the sale of a house built by students in construction class.

No one has bid on the house after the first round of advertising, said Superintendent Harold Remme.

Remme proposed, and the board agreed to, advertise the house in more area newspapers, as well as make it more visible with "for sale" signs.

Remme also said he has contacted the Mankato Habitat for Humanity, which has in the past expressed an interest in contracting for a house with the district.

Board member (and realtor) Tim Babel stressed the importance of visibility, as well as easy access for potential buyers.

The district is seeking to at least recoup its investment of about $48,000.

Leave of absence

On a 5-1 vote (with one board member absent), the board granted a year's leave of absence to Spanish teacher Allen Hoffman, who plans to accept a fixed-term position at Minnesota State University ­ Mankato.

Hoffman will receive no pay or benefits from the district but will maintain his seniority.

While Hoffman's request is consistent with state law, it was made after the May 1 deadline for such requests specified in the board's own policy. This fact made some board members apprehensive about finding a good replacement. But in spite of mentioning the possibility of an approval conditioned on finding a satisfactory replacement, the board did not end up taking that approach.

Dissenting board member Brian Wieland explained his vote with his concern about "protecting jobs" for employees while they explore other careers. As he has done in the past, Wieland also said the policy generates insecurity for replacements and urged a policy review.