Alpine school district budget is in the black

By Chuck Taylor
The Alpine Sun

     ALPINE — At the October Alpine Union School District Board meeting, business Manager Rob Turner reported that despite a drop in enrollments this year, the outlook for the school budget requirements remains optimistic.
     Turner cautioned the board that much of the funding being received this year was a “one-time” payback for years of mandated programs that had not been funded.
     The budgeted income this year is $19,066, with expenditures pegged at $18,365. The reserve at year end is $2,273,707.
     While there were gains in some funding income, there were also a few losses including a $7,700 loss in lottery income and a $1,400 drop in tobacco use prevention education funds.
     One line item titled “Other Operating Expense” totals $1,112,000 which covers items such as utilities, fuel, workshops and sixth grade camp.
     Turner went on to say that average pay package for teachers in now in excess of $60,000.
     A report was presented to the board describing new procedures now in place to track student progress. Instead of waiting for test results, student progress will be measured on a continual basis and any sign of a decline in student learning will be immediately addressed, rather than waiting until the end of a year when remediation might be too late.
     A new and very comprehensive report card was introduced. The card has been redesigned after the district received input from teachers, principals, administrators and parents. The card is easier to read and delivers a great deal more information to parents.
     The new student School Board Members were introduced. Emily Keach and Amber Thoennes immediately joined in discussions. They are both 8th grade students at Joan Mac Queen Middle School.

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