As the Fort Wayne Community Schools board looks at ways the district can cut $15 million from its $217.15 million budget, members heard from those opposed to outsourcing custodial work.
Four speakers, including two FWCS custodians and a local resident, Monday night urged the board to consider the negative effects of outsourcing custodial work. Outsourcing is one suggestion the district has for cutting costs. It also has public hearings planned on the possible closure of Elmhurst High School and Pleasant Center Elementary. Even with those closures, which would start this fall, and other suggested cuts, the district is $2 million short of the target, which may have to come from teachers' jobs.
Monday night, the board approved retirements, resignations and terminations. The number of employees leaving the district is 80, while 30 people will be hired. Of the 80 employees who are leaving, 61 were paid from the general funds budget, from which the $15 million in cuts must come.
It is not likely the personnel changes alone will help the district reach $15 million. Superintendent Wendy Robinson said at the board meeting that the district has about 70 employees leave per year. These numbers are already factored into the budget, so unless the district sees a significant increase in employees leaving, this will not affect the budget.
Also at the meeting, the board honored two FWCS teachers, Cynthia Helmkamp of Anthis Career Center and Cheryl Rotruck of Jefferson Middle School, who received $8,000 awards through the Lilly Endowment's Teacher Creativity Fellowship program. The two were among 120 statewide recipients of the grants, allowing them to pursue personal interests.
The board also recognized students and teachers from Blackhawk Middle School for winning the Northeast Indiana Regional Future City Competition on Jan. 16 at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. The competition is an educational program sponsored by the National Engineers Week Foundation.
The board accepted a $5,000 grant given to Wayne High School through the National Football League, made possible by funding from Wayne graduate and pro-football player Jason Baker. Wayne will use the money to help pay for renovations to its weight and locker rooms.
