The Lockwood School Board approved its $13,052,562.52 budget, with one dissenting vote, at their meeting last week. The budget falls about $700,000 short of what is needed, according to the School’s Business Manager and Clerk Laurie Kvamme. But trustees have targeted some opportunities to reduce that short fall, she said.
“All and all, we still have work to do,” said Kvamme, “But it’s not horrible, not like a lot of schools.”
The increasing cost of hiring teachers is part of the reason, but all costs are going up for all school districts.
Since the addition of the new high school, Lockwood has been having to add to the number of teachers hired each year.
Superintendent Don Christman reported that this year the district has filled all of its open 25 positions for the coming school year – something that many schools have not been able to do because of a statewide teacher shortage.
A significant increase in the cost of the school’s bus contract is also a contributing factor to higher budget costs, according to Kvamme.
And, much discussion during the board meeting, focused on the increasing cost of sports, which in this year’s budget is $330,000 – a $111,000 increase over last year for high school and middle school sports. “It has increased over $100,000 each year,” said Kvamme.
Mike Erickson, Lockwood’s athletic director, said that there is a substantial balance in the athletic fund, which is funded through fundraisers and sponsorships. The escalating costs of gas and motel rooms has made it increasingly difficult to participate in statewide events, even though many of them are held in Lockwood or nearby. He expressed several times, during the discussion, the ability and willingness to make the athletic funds available to help supplement this year’s general budget line for sports. Arrangements were made for a special meeting with Erickson and board members to further discuss the financing of sports.
Superintendent Christman reported that total school enrollment at this point is 1,503 – about the same as last year. He said that total is expected to increase as new registrations are received. Primary school is at 333, Intermediate is at 313, Middle School is at 357 and High School is at 500.
Christman also reported that they are in the process of establishing a District Parent Advisory Committee to discuss current topics such as developing culture and Portrait of a Graduate. Christman said it is the district’s hope that this will increase parent and community engagement.
