Covert Public Schools is a district with big bucks and big problems
But the real turning point came in 2007, when Burrage and the board launched $12 million in building upgrades. Rather than seek voter approval for construction bonds, the usual strategy of financing major capital-improvement projects, Burrage took out loans that are being repaid through the general fund — this year, the debt service is $871,000, about 9 percent of the operating budget. The opening of the Palisades plant 40 years ago provided an economic transformation for the school district. It quickly became an anomaly — a small, rural system serving a high-poverty, largely minority population, yet one with the funding of wealthy suburban schools such as Farmington Hills or Grosse Pointe. As the Palisades tax dollars flowed into district coffers, Covert soon became accustomed to nice facilities that were well-staffed by employees who made some of the best salaries in Van Buren County schools. The passage of Proposal A didn't change much for Covert. Because Palisades generates so much tax revenue, Covert is an "out-of-formula" district — an exception to the regular K-12 funding system. Most school districts are dependent on the state's foundation allowance; districts collect their nonhomestead tax levied on commercial property and second homes, and the state makes up the difference so that the districts get their guaranteed amount per student. Since Covert collects so much in property taxes, its foundation allowance has been a moot point and Covert is allowed to keep what it collects. It couldn't have happened at a worse time for the school district. Two years into the construction projects, Covert was fiscally way overextended. On revenues of $10.6 million in 2008-09, it had spent $12.3 million. The reserve fund, which had $4 million in July 2006, was gone, and the district ended the 2008-09 school year $1 million in the red. The logical move was for Burrage to completely overhaul the 2009-10 operating budget.White Oak School District Map - News
And even though Covert is one of the smallest K-12 districts in the region — only Burr Oak is smaller — its debt is substantial. In fact, Covert is one of 20 school districts which are more than $1 million in the red. Even school board trustees point
Thomas E. Dainty of White Oak, a retired carpenter for the McKeesport Area School District, died on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, in UPMC McKeesport. He was 83. "My mother complemented my father," his son added. "She was a beautician who operated a shop in
On Friday, she said she was ready to get to work on such district issues as growing student enrollment and budget constraints. "I think we've got a lot of interesting and meaty subjects coming up," she said. Farley, who has three sons at White Oaks
Alick is producer of the 24th annual celebratory event, sponsored by the Ashland School District, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Southern Oregon University, Jefferson Public Radio and the City of Ashland. There will be performances by the Flag Team and
By Tony Graf tgraf@stmedianetwork.com January 3, 2012 7:08PM Anna Azuba and Allyson Hansen, pages at the White Oak Library District building, move books into place at the library's newly remodeled space December 30, 2011, in Romeoville.
Week 1 – 2012 General Assembly Session Update
Dear Neighbor,
The 2012 General Assembly Session convened this week, January 11, for a 60-day session concluding in mid-March. During the opening ceremony, Speaker Bill Howell announced Members’ committee assignments for the 2012 session. I will continue to serve on the Committee on Transportation , the Courts of Justice Committee and the Committee on Finance . These committees have a tremendous impact on the daily lives of citizens in the Commonwealth, and I look forward to continuing my service on them.
It was truly exciting this week for me as I, along with my 99 colleagues in the House of Delegates, took my oath of office again as Delegate from the 21st House District which now includes part of Chesapeake and some new precincts in Virginia Beach . It is truly was an honor and a privilege to officially become the voice of our new district on the floor of the House of Delegates for the 2012 and 2013 General Assembly sessions.
On Wednesday evening, Governor McDonnell delivered his annual State of the Commonwealth address in the House Chamber. It was a great speech that challenged Republicans and Democrats in both chambers to work together for the benefit of all Virginians. Governor McDonnell also laid out a number of proposals that will likely receive bipartisan support, including further investments in our colleges and universities aimed at expanding enrollment at an affordable cost, initiatives to continue to make Virginia the best state for veterans, and a record investment into the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for our teachers and state employees. Of course, not all of the Governor’s proposals will enjoy bipartisan support, such as the best approach to K-12 education reforms, and there will be spirited debate about some proposals.
In case you were unable to watch the Governor’s address live, below are links to the text and video from the Governor’s State of the Commonwealth Address.