The Plymouth Community School Corporation may offer transportation to other districts in the county in order to gain student enrollment for the 2016-2017 school year.
Superintendent Dan Tyree told the school board Tuesday night that over the course of two years, under the state’s new budget, the corporation will lose $30,000. He explained that the state anticipates the loss of 14 students in 2016 and keep status quo for 2017. That is the reason why the school will be cut $80,000 in 2016. Tyree said the school may pick up $50,000 in 2017. He noted that the corporation has a history of gaining students rather than losing students.
The state will also count kindergarten students as a whole student when the Average Daily Membership (ADM) count is taken in September and February. In the past, the students have been counted a half of a student during the time the enrollment count is taken. The state will also eliminate a grant for Full Day Kindergarten. Tyree stated that the grant only covered about 80 percent of the cost of the student so this may be a benefit to the corporation.
Due to a change in the complexity index, which includes an extensive formula that starts with the number of students who are eligible for free textbooks in the previous school year, the corporation will experience a $1.4 million loss in 2016 and $400,000 loss in 2017.
With these funding loss projections, Superintendent Tyree asked for the school board’s permission for the transportation director to investigate the cost and develop a strategic plan of transporting students from outlying districts to attend Plymouth Community Schools. Tyree indicated that Bremen and Argos are considering similar programs. Different pickup points will be considered.
The board unanimously approved the recommendation. Dave Schoof will present information to the board at their June meeting to see if the plan is feasible to pursue.
