Medical Lake expects less from some grants in 2012-13
By JAMES EIK
Staff Reporter
Expecting another year of decreasing funds from grants, the Medical Lake School Board approved grant applications for the 2012-13 school year.
Business manager Don Johnson and director of teaching and learning Dan Mueller worked to create the applications. At the Tuesday, July 24 board meeting, Mueller said all of the grants would provide less funding, if approved, with the exception of preschool grants. That particular one could increase by $80 compared to last year.
“Title I really was significant. We went down from $218,000 to $185,000 and that has required us to cut back our programs and we have. We cut a certified person due to that cutback,” Mueller said.
Title II Part A would be used primarily for staffing and some professional development, he said.
Another grant seeing a potential decrease would affect bilingual students. Mueller said there were fewer bilingual students in the district, dropping from 12 to six from the previous year.
During her report to the board, Superintendent Pam Veltri said several projects were proceeding during the summer. One in particular, the resurfacing of the high school tennis courts, was delayed due to recent rainy weather.
Residents had reported brown spots at the middle school fields, although Veltri said having wet weather followed by a dry spell contributed to some difficulty in keeping a regular surface. In addition, the city asked the district to not water for two days following a lightning storm Monday, July 16 that knocked out three wells in city limits.
“I believe it's going to be in fine condition for the fall,” Veltri said.
The middle school will also get a new paint job this summer, once the weather stabilizes. Currently, the building still displays the original paint from the building's construction. Newer paint, Veltri said, wouldn't last as long due to environmental concerns.
Other board policies passed include some Internet safety instruction guidelines for next year. Parts of the policy were influenced by regional school districts, specifically the East Valley School District.
Some instruction would take place during lunch, Veltri said, in an effort to prevent the policy from encroaching on class time.
James Eik can be reached at james@cheneyfreepress.com.
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