Data shows more money for LPOSD

SANDPOINT — Lake Pend Oreille School District officials have a bit more more money to work with for the upcoming school year than originally anticipated, Supt. Dick Cvitanich said Tuesday.

Recent information indicates the district will have more than $200,000 to work with than first projected.

LPOSD officials have been working to address a funding decrease for the 2008-2009 school year, Cvitanich said. Recent information indicates the district will have more than $200,000 to work with than originally projected.

Health insurance premiums were projected to increase 15 percent based upon 2007-2008 numbers, but have fallen far short of that. The district also will receive more federal money and support from the Idaho Legislature if federal forest dollars fall through.

That additional money will be used in what district officials refer to as “build back” staff.

Cvitanich and the district’s principals have worked to address curriculum needs at various schools.

Those additional funds will be used to add one position back at Sandpoint Middle School and spread $50,000 between several schools that will share principals for additional staff to help with parents and students.

That leaves another $158,000 on the table to help deal with possible bubble classes when school resumes on Sept. 2, Cvitanich said.

Late this winter, district officials began preparing staff for an anticipated $2 million funding decrease related to a drop in enrollment. Student enrollment has decreased by 298 pupils in the past two years and is anticipated to decrease by 100 students during the upcoming year.

District officials announced that it would have to RIF 33 positions to address the shortfall.

LPOSD trustees officially approved a reduction in 21 employees during the meeting following an executive session. Nine senior staff members also were approved for retirement, which was expected to save several junior positions. The reduction will be effective July 1.

Those on the RIF list include: Steve Miller, Carl Sandell, Diane Jones, Kimberly Lambright, Jan Rudeen, Kathleen Prummer, Vickie Benner, Mamie Brubaker, Jennifer Cornelius, Shantelle Gillis, Randi Kulis, Brian Nickerson, Mindy Roget, Chris Warren, Tracy Williamson, Sandra Aguilar, Rebecca Charvoz, Deanna Giard, George Rickert, Julie Peterson and Angie DeVita.

In other business, the board:

• Presented CFJHS principal Phil Kemink with a plaque containing a framed copy of the US News and World Report magazine which lists the school as one of the top 500 high schools in the country.

• Heard a presentation from Doug Olin, assistant superintendent, on the district’s updated Website which should go live later this month.