NILES SCHOOLS Official discusses financial situation
The new middle school will include a time capsule.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The city school district must watch staffing levels to keep finances in check, Treasurer Linda C. Molinaro cautioned board members.
Molinaro gave an overview of the district's finances during a school board meeting Thursday. Salaries and fringe benefits comprise about 77 percent of the district's budget, an amount nearing danger levels, she said.
Molinaro said that two people are set to retire at the end of the school year. By not replacing them, the district could save $124,911, she said.
"We are in a big cash problem right now," Molinaro said.
"We have to watch our staffing," Molinaro said.
OK'd plan: Board members also approved a plan to add a time capsule at the new middle school under construction.
"It should be student-initiated, and we want to involve all students districtwide," said Robert Marino Jr., Edison Junior High School principal.
The new middle school on Brown Street, off state Route 46, will replace Edison.
Board members also approved the first reading of a policy for assessing first-, second-, third- and fourth-grade pupils on their reading proficiency to identify those reading below grade level.
Parents of those reading below grade level will be notified, and intervention services will be offered by the school district. The policy also calls for intense remediation services during the summer for pupils who don't attain a proficient reading score by the end of the fourth grade.
"Students for whom the district is required to provide this intervention shall be required to attend," the policy says.
Taking test again: They will be given another opportunity to take the test during the summer after fourth grade. If they don't achieve the proficient score, they may be kept in the fourth grade.
Board members also approved a resolution to submit an application for funding under the Federal Emergency Repair Program which provides funding to address school building needs.
Superintendent Patrick Guliano said the district submitted the application March 14.
"We're just keeping our fingers crossed," he said.
Marino, who completed the application, cautioned that 400 school districts across the state are applying for about $9 million in available funds.
dick@vindy.com