(Spirit Lake)– Acting on a recommendation from Superintendent Doug Latham, the Spirit Lake school board Monday decided to hold off on making any budget cuts until after next week’s vote on the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, or PPEL.
Latham told the board the levy could be used to pay for some items that otherwise would have to be financed by the General Fund…things like technology upgrades, new buses, and construction of another wind turbine…among others.
When it comes to the million dollars-plus in proposed cuts identified at a budget workshop last week, many who spoke at Monday’s meeting called on the board to spread them to areas they say would have less of an impact on students. They say more cuts should be made on the administrative level.
The board also heard Monday from an attorney representing former High School Principal Jedd Sherman, who says he was forced to resign. Rick Barry said it makes no sense for the district to be paying an administrator for not being on the job, referring to Sherman being placed on administrative leave. And Sherman himself addressed the board, saying he could play an integral role in helping the district through its budget crisis if he was allowed back on the job. School board members didn’t respond to either Barry or Sherman at Monday night’s meeting.
Ann Goerss, Vice-President of the school board, presided over the meeting on behalf of President Beth Will, who was on vacation.
