CRYSTAL FALLS—The Forest Park Board of Education held its annual truth-in-taxation hearing prior to the June 23 board meeting.

The 2008-09 budget shows revenues of $4.85 million plus about $54,000 in remaining fund equity, for a total of $4.9 million. Expenditures total $4.9 million. There is a projected equity of $8,757 at the end of next school year.

Superintendent Tom Jayne explained that although the district already cut $113,000 from its budget, it is projected the district will lose 30 students. The district receives $7,204 per student in state aid, so will see a loss of $216,000.

Levies for the upcoming year are the state tax (or Proposal A) of 6 mills; the operating levy against non-homestead property of 17.73 mills; and the school bond debt retirement of 2.85 mills.

Following the public hearing, the Forest Park board adopted the proposed 2008-09 school year budget, along with the final amended budget for this past school year.

Banking services for the next two years were awarded to First National Bank of Crystal Falls, the only bidder. Jayne noted the bank does a very nice service for the district.

The board only received one bid for milk, and was awarded to Jilbert Dairy. The bus bid was awarded to Zaremba Equipment. The bus is an International diesel, and will be purchased with categorical state aid funding plus a three-year bank loan.

Turning to programming, on the Community Schools committee recommendation, the full board agreed to charge a one-time per year $10 registration fee for Tot Lot students. Parents may sign their youngsters up for one, two or all three sessions, at $65 per session, but the $10 registration fee will only be required once.

The board accepted with deep regret the resignation of Dwaine Anderson as the driver’s education instructor, a position he held for 24 years. Board members agreed he did a great job. The school-run driver’s education program was discontinued. Dickinson Area Driving School will take over the program for the school.

Students can find more information or register for classes at http://www.kingsford.org at www.kingsford.org and then go to the Dickinson Area Driving School link.

The board accepted a letter of resignation from Scott Gussert, boys’ varsity basketball coach, and thanked him for his dedication to the program. The position will be posted.

The board will also post for a half-time elementary teacher. Jayne explained the district received a $36,000 Title 2 grant for class-size reduction. This is a two-year program, and last year the money was spent on the Early 5s program. This year the program follows those students into kindergarten.

Per the grant guidelines, there will be two kindergarten sessions this year, with 11 students per session. Students who take the bus will go to the morning session and those who walk to school will go to the afternoon session. So, a half of a day elementary teacher will be needed, he said..

The district is also looking for an Americorps Worker for the upcoming school year, funded with at-risk money.

Forest Park graduate Richard Rugg was hired as the district’s technology technician for the 2008-09 school year. As a student, Rugg was actively involved in the technology program and has hands-on experience with the district’s computers.

The fall coach evaluations were approved and their contracts were extended for the upcoming school year. The board also approved the administrative and Community Schools contracts for the 2008-09 school year.

Bus No, 5, plus any other non-functional metal pieces on the school campus, will be sold for scrap metal. These items have an estimated worth of about $1,000.

The Michigan High School Athletic Association participation resolution was adopted for this coming school year, with Board President John Harrison opposed.

The Forest Park board organizational meeting has been set for 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8.