14 May 2013
Three Legged Stool Needed to Balance School Budget
There are still too many variables out there before the Siuslaw Schools budget committee can finalize their work.
But, they will hear some things tomorrow night that could help them balance the upcoming budget.
That balance is dependent on three things… first; teachers and classified employees must agree to concessions that would shorten the school year by five days and save about $200-thousand. Another $200-thousand in savings could be secured if the school board agrees to trim cash reserves.
The third leg of that stool has already been accomplished. Governor Kitzhaber signed a bill last week reducing benefits to previous retirees. That would produce another 200-grand in savings locally.
The total of $600-thousand would still fall short by about $150-thousand. Superintendent Jeff Davis said that difference could be made up by a higher than anticipated cash carryover at the end of the current school year.
The School Budget Committee meets tomorrow at the Elementary School Library at 6:30.
Tsunami Rally
The latest and most detailed tsunami evacuation maps developed by the state and local officials will be handed out this evening during a special “Tsunami Rally” to be held at the Florence Events Center.
Doors open at 6:30 and visitors will not only get their own pocket sized copy of the map, they’ll be able to speak directly with officials and emergency responders about what to do should a large earthquake strike off the Oregon Coast.
The new maps show detailed information about just what areas would be inundated by water following a near-shore quake. They also show a smaller area that would possibly be covered with water following a distant quake.
Central Lincoln Plans Outage on North Fork
Everyone who lives above the four-mile mark on North Fork Siuslaw Road will be left in the dark tomorrow.
A crew from Central Lincoln PUD will be replacing a power pole and making distribution upgrades beginning at nine-AM Wednesday.
PUD Senior Distribution Engineering Technician Robin Hicks said work is expected to be completed by four PM… if not sooner.
Competition Brings Benefits to the Classroom
Two auto skills students from Siuslaw High School competed last week at the Ford-Triple-A Challenge at Mount Hood Community College. Their instructor, Harry Holton, says it’s not just the students who compete that benefit. That’s because Ford loans them a brand new, current year model car to work with in the classroom.
Harry Holton – “I teach the kids all the new technology out there on this particular car and some of the things we learned about was like, the variable valve timing this car has. It’s kind of a really, you know, unique experience to be able to show them that kind of stuff and be able to demo it to them.”
Mike Head and Timothy Jones finished in the top ten at the state level. For Holton this year’s competition was bitter sweet. He’ll be retiring at the end of this school year and won’t be back next year… or will he?
Harry Holton – “It’s kind of sad because I know a lot of the people up there, you know, I’m going to miss them. I just hope we get to do it again next year, that whoever’s going to take over for me, maybe, who knows, I’ll be able to come in and help them, and at least get them going in the right direction.”
Holton is working with administrators to recruit his own replacement.
