Klitzman reported the school corporation will lose $852,078 in the 2012 fiscal year, and $307,914 in 2013. These loses will come from the elimination or reduction of funds from the following: Restoration Grant, the Small School Grant, the Prime Time Grant, the Special Education Allowance, Vocational Education Allowance, and Title I.

There will be some "gains" including $52,676 (a half-percent increase in funding for 2012 only), no state cutback (as proposed) - a savings of $416,413 in 2012 only, and federal stimulus funds of $265,249 for 1012 only.

Klitzman said with these "gains," the projected loss for 2012 is $117,740 and $307,914 in 2013.

The superintendent added later that he is more worried about 2013 finances for the school corporation. For 2012, the school has federal stimulus money to help offset the loss in state funding. But more importantly, he said the schools' emrollment trend needs to be reversed. For the past five or six years, EPCS has lost student enrollment. With the new funding formula and state dollars following students (to charter, private, virtual or home schools), he said it is "critically important" for EPCS enrollment to increase, or at least stabilize.

In a legislative update for the board, Klitzman said funding for schools has significantly changed, but not much information has been shared at this point. Teacher evaluations have also changed. They will be linked to student data, growth and achievement. Areas for collective bargaining have been greatly reduced; certain items can be bargained and others cannot.

The superintendent added there is now a Gov. Daniels scholarship whereby students who complete high school in three years will receive $4,000 which will go to the college of their choice, resulting in public schools losing money. There will be more charter schools and different entities may create charter schools. Private schools and home schools can now obtain tax money (tax credits).

In other business, some members of the high school robotics team, Alex Gudas, Greg Zellers and Brett Beach, appeared before the board to report on their trip to the world championships in Orlando in April. The team collaborated with over 400 teams worldwide and explained how they designed their robot for the competition and put on a demonstration. The team finished fourth with over 100 teams in their division. 

Also in other business, the board extended administrator contracts for one year as presented, with no increase in compensation.

The board approved one summer school class and contract for Kyle Johnson to teach high school physical education. This class has been very well attended in past years and is partially funded through the state. Credit recovery will be handled through the Indiana Virtual Academy.

The Title I (compensatory), Prime Time (reduced class size) and High Ability grant programs were approved for continuation. The high school, middle school, elementary and bus driver handbooks were approved as presented.

A new one common location process for registration will be implemented for next school year. Klitzman explained this results from an effort to streamline the process, to be more accommodating to parents with children in more than one building, and to have less duplication of services.

Plans are being developed to use the middle/high school cafeteria for all student registration. Computers will be set up to verify/enter information in the dining area of the careteria. There will be a private location for free/reduced lunch applications. Space will also be set up for transportation questions, textbook fee payments, lunch accounts and athletics. Registration will be Aug. 9 and 10.

Peach Roth reported on the Senior Project-Based Learning Experience. Every senior was required to complete this innovative project which combined several curricular areas, required multiple steps, and was laced throughout with technology usage. Students were given a monthly "salary" and asked to use various websites in order to prepare a monthly budget and provide rationale for their budgetary decisions. Mrs. Roth reported that students agreed the webquest was not just "busy work," but a truly beneficial learning experience.

High school principal Rick DeFries reported the Academic Excellence Banquet was May 7, honoring 27 seniors and their most influential teacher. The Fine Arts Banquet was May 10, senior awards night is May 20, and commencement is May 27. He added the Skills Enrichment Program is continuing to develop, helping students prepare for end-of-course assessments. Teacher Tim Roth was congratulated for receiving the Jason Koontz Badge of Courage Award.

Middle school principal Stan Good reported that 36 students were inducted into the National Honor Soceity on May 3. NJHS sponsor Carol Jo Gumz was also honored, as she is retiring. He also reported on NWEA testing.

Elementary school principal Jill Collins reported on year-end testing. She announced the support staff celebration was May 5, the county-wide spelling bee was May 12, Junior Achievement Day will be May 20, and the end-of-year awards program will be June 3. The PTA was thanked for the activities it sponsors, including Muffins with Mom (April 29) and the annual Isis Theater trip (June 3).

The board approved a request from the high school girls volleyball team to attend a team camp at Olivet University July 13-15. A similar request was approved for the high school girls basketball team to attend a team camp in Fort Wayne June 30-July3.