ELEMENTARY STUDENT OF THE MONTH … Delta Elementary School fourth grader and student of the month Lyla Rogier is recognized by Principal Ellen Bernal (left) and Pike-Delta-York Board of Education member Jackie Chiesa (right).
By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
Pike-Delta-York Local School District Superintendent Jon Burke told board of education members Thursday that an increase in local property valuations is stemming some of the bleeding from a recent levy failure.
“This valuation increase will give the district some breathing room heading into the next school year, so if the levy were not renewed, we would hopefully not need to cut staff. However, it could lead us into not replacing retiring or leaving staff and absorbing these positions,” Burke said.
At last month’s meeting, Burke had proposed the elimination of five teaching positions, three district aides, and two bus drivers, in addition to other cuts and repercussions.
He says the new growth that has apparently reduced the depth of the cuts came because “The substitute levy is doing what it’s intended to do, which is to capture new real estate that comes off of the tax abatements, especially the industrial developments west of town.”
He reminded the board of the purpose and benefit of the levy, which will be back in front of voters this March.
“If the levy were to fall off, we would be coming back to the taxpayers for another request because we have some big maintenance issues to address,” he said.
“For example, we have about $1 million worth of maintenance to the high school roof in the next five years. We have boilers that are going to need to be replaced at the middle school building in the next five years.”
Burke pointed to another challenge created by the state of financial uncertainty. “It’s hard to keep high-quality staff when jobs are constantly on the chopping block,” he said. He also brought up goals for future expansion of school services.
“In the next five years, we’d like to add an elementary art teacher, we’d like to add some career exploration modules in our middle school, and we’d like to increase the agricultural offerings at the high school to include more modern metal fabrication, horticultural education, and engineering design,” he said.
Burke encouraged anyone with questions about the levy or district finances generally to contact his office directly.
OTHER BUSINESS
Principals recognized their student of the month honorees – Delta Elementary School fourth-grade student Lyla Rogier, Delta Middle School seventh-grade student Ethan Wilson, and Delta High School junior Evelyn Demaline.
The board approved early graduation for Emma Hunt, Ronald Savage, and Misha Curry. The board approved the selected district calendar for the 2024-2025 school year.
The board approved five Odyssey of the Mind teams to travel to Thornapple Kellogg Schools in Middleville, Michigan in March to compete in a state tournament.
The next meeting of the Pike-Delta-York Local School District Board of Education will be held at 6:30 p.m. on March 6 at the Delta High School Auditorium.
