The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Budget approved for 2006-07
Estabrook principal honored with MEMSPA certificate
By Kathleen Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: July 6, 2006
Approval of the budget for the 2006-2007 school year and contracts for various administrators led the agenda for last week's meeting of the Ypsilanti Public Schools' Board of Education.
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Discussion on the budget, which had already been reviewed in detail at two previous meetings, was curtailed to Chief Financial Officer Alan Dowdy's final comments before approval.
Dowdy noted the district has only laid off three teachers and two support staff during the effort to correct the $4.6 million deficit the district was facing. He also noted the $225 additional money per student has been added to the budget, but not yet approved by the state legislature.
Dowdy said the administration was also looking at a future bond issue for long-term repairs and replacements in the district. The budget was then approved in regular session.
Pat DeRossett, principal of Estabrook Elementary School, was presented with a certificate of recognition for being an Outstanding Principal as recognized by the Michigan Elementary & Middle School Principals Association. Dr. James Hawkins, superintendent of the district, and Andrew Fanta, President of the Board of Education, presented DeRossett with the award.
The board approved the contracts of Pat DeRossett, E. Ruth Jordan and Robert Wilkinson as independent contractors to the district. The three administrators retired from the district, effective June 30, and were contracted back to their former positions until June 30, 2008.
The contracts allow the district to save money on state-mandated employee packages, while continuing to benefit from the experience of seasoned educators. DeRossett will remain Principal at Estabrook Elementary, Jordan will retain her position as Director of Student Services, and Wilkinson will stay as Director of Auxiliary Programs & Technology.
In addition, the board approved a one-year contract with Robert Oliver to fill the position of Director of Transportation. Oliver, who worked for the district for over 30 years, retired several years ago but was called back last fall to fill the position after the dismissal of Chris Szuma.
The board acknowledged the donations to the Regional Career Technical Center of a 1989 Chevrolet by Miguel Angel Guzman and a 1967 Cadillac by Christopher Scott Norman. The board also acknowledged the donation of a $25 gift certificate to Fletcher School from Meijer, Inc. for the purchase of mulch.
The resignations of Nichole Brenna, choir director at Ypsilanti High School and Jamilah Bowden, teacher at Adams Elementary were accepted. Ms. Brenna has accepted a position in the Jackson school system and Ms Bowden is continuing her educational studies.
The board granted the requests of Monique Bolden, YHS social studies teacher, for a one-year maternity leave; and Shari McConnell, Chapelle Community School special education teacher for a personal leave.
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