ELY- It was a good news, not-so-good news scenario at the Ely School Board’s Monday night meeting, the completion of one thing and the ongoing struggles with another.
On the good side, the “Phase II Completion Project” for the major renovations to Ely’s school buildings, which included all new windows and secure doors, is done.
“There are only a few things left to do,” said Facilities Director Tim Leeson. “The punch list (of remaining work) will be done by Friday.”
While the new windows are the most conspicuous upgrade to the Ely Memorial High School and Washington Elementary School buildings, the completion project also installed new doors, a new stage floor, and upgraded bathrooms.
The not-so-good news was the approval of a revised 2024-25 budget, an unwanted affirmation that the district’s finances have not gone as planned this school year, due to decreases in state aid and increases in expenses.
The original budget assumption for per student state aid was based on 506 Adjusted Daily Memberships, or ADMs, which are enrollments adjusted for post-secondary educational opportunities and part-time students. The revised budget uses 488.5 ADMs. This is a decrease of 9 ADMs from the 2023-24 school year and 17.5 ADMs from the original budget. The state funding formula uses ADMs, not straight enrollment numbers.
The district also has expenses beyond what was budgeted, including higher technological subscription costs, insurance costs, sports expenses, and unanticipated long-term substitute teacher wages. The revised budget reflects these changing realities.
In other business, the school board:
• Approved January receipts of $921,221, January disbursements of $612,108, and the January financial report.
• Approved $1,544 for 2025 membership dues to the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools.
• Approved the hire of Greg Rozier as a part-time bus driver effective Jan. 2.
• Accepted the resignation of Michele Milton from her position as a cafeteria aide effective Feb. 9.
• Approved lane change requests from Andrea Thomas, Clara Roy, and Amanda Faulkner. Lane changes are advances in teacher career levels.
• Approved the adoption of a policy regarding development and maintenance of an inventory of fixed assets and a fixed asset accounting system. The school district’s auditors recommended the policy.
• Held the first reading of a policy regarding personal electronic communication devices. This new policy adds further restrictions on the usage of cell phones and other smart devices during the school day.
• Approved the following donations: $410 from Artsonia for the art department; $400 for women athletes from the Ely Educational Foundation; $400 from Frandsen Bank and Trust and $200 from the Ely Kiwanis for the yearly trip to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland; and $1,000 from the Dunn family for band repairs.