The Wayland Board of Education Monday evening went over the $1.5 annual million casino budget with a proverbial fine-toothed comb and members pledged to spend a week thinking about spending priorities.

The board next will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday to continue discussions about how to spend the money the district is awarded from the Gun Lake Casino because of a compact agreed to when the facility first began operations in February 2011.

Expenditures for the estimated $1.5 million pot is divided into three categories: Public improvement, $633,152; community support, $508,237, and instructional support, $346,315.

School officials said they have conducted surveys of parent, the community and staff, trying to opinions about how they feel about spending that money in those categories rather than through the general fund.

Instructional Support

• The first item in the instructional support category was the purchase of iPad tablet computer devices for all students in grades 7-12. Cost is pegged at $214,583 and there is talk about extending the program to lower grade levels in the elementary classrooms.

Though community and parents seemed divided, Technology Director Teresa Fulk said there is 90 percent staff approval for grades 7-12 and 70% for elementary students.

• The second item was the physical education swimming program for students in grades 2-12. Cost is $12,835 for lifeguards, instructors and busing for elementary students.
• The third discussed was the science materials aide, who handles ordering, organizing and planning for science experiments in grades K-6. Cost is $19,336 for a program estimated to impact almost 1,600 students.
• The fourth was the $11,000 set aside for not charging people to attend drama, musical and concert events and for funding production costs.

“I don’t know if we embrace more people to attend (drama and musical events) by not charging than when we did,” commented Board President Nancy Thelen.

Fifth on the list was funding the Science Oympiad, Lego Engineering and Odyssey of the Mind programs and competitions, at a cost of $6,000.

• Next was the school nurse program, through Spectrum Health. Parents and community show a 75% approval rating but less than 50% of staff.

Superintendent Norm Taylor, noting the rising costs of the service, said, “I’m not the only superintendent who is concerned about their (Spectrum’s) cost model.”

Cost this past budget year was $63,000, but there are fears this could get a lot more expensive.

Board Secretary Toni Ordway asked, “Don’t we have someone more affordable who could fit into that role?”

Defenders said the current school nurse goes above and beyond the call of duty in dealing with dental, hearing, visions and shoes issues.

• The last of the items included in instructional support was field trips, at a cost of $19,457. It was noted that it’s possible to change the destinations to closer and less expensive sites. The Toronto trip scheduled for this year already has been canceled.

Community Support

• Parents used to help supply classroom items such as facial tissue, hand sanitizer, colored pencils, glue sticks and highlighters, but this casino budget item, costing about $51,850 was designed to relieve them of that financial burden.
• Drivers education formerly was an expense absorbed by the students and parents, but this casino item provided a $100 discount and switched the instruction from private to public. Cost is $53,224 and about 350 students are impacted.

Board Member Gary Wood said he is uncomfortable with the school district helping to fund a service that competes with private local business.

• Two-way busing for athletes, $14,314. In recent bygone days, school buses would take athletes and students to events, but they had to find a ride home, usually through their parents. Because of this casino-funded item, they are guaranteed a ride home if needed.

The problem is that too often the bus driver is paid to do nothing for a couple of hours while the event is taking place. Some board members suggested that smaller teams and groups be transported in mini-vans and charge students $1 per head for spectator buses.

• More community education class offerings — at a cost of $18,757.
• Pay to play — Eliminating the requirement all student-athletes to pay to participate costs the district more than $60,000 and it impacts 600 students. The old policy was $100 per student, per sport in high school and $75 in junior high.

It was pointed out that more than half of Michigan’s school districts continue to have “pay to play” requirements. It also was noted that 85 percent of parents approve of elimination of those fees.

• Elimination of entry fees to sporting and other events.

Supt. Norm Taylor said, “The impact of free attendance at all extra-curricular events is hard to know.”

The idea was least popular with staff, but supported by parents and community.

Finance Director Bill Melching said there is a cost when there are ticket takers at events. They must be paid, and if their hours exceed 30 per week they will become eligible for health care benefits.

“I would like to see this (free admission policy) changed,” Board Treasurer Tom Salingue said.

• Reduced pre-school fees, a cost of $55,560.

Taylor pointed out that because Gun Lake Community Church raised prices for its pre-school program, Wayland’s number went up significantly this year. He added that the program could cause dividends later in that it could result in some of the students from other districts who come here for preschool might wind up coming to the local district when they begin kindergarten, increasing state aid supoort.

• Eliminating door-to-door fund-raising.

Melching said, “Because of our policy on no fund-raising, $60,000 of our money is staying in our community.”

The program, which received substantial approval from parents in the survey, costs the district $53,630.

• Student accident insurance — Cost is $17,726.
• New uniforms and tournament entry fees (non-MHSAA) — $19,100, with impact on 374 high school students.
• Management and staffing at the high school pool and Wayland Fitness Center. This is a difficult item because the more than 30-year-old pool is not up to competitive high school standards and is getting most costly to maintain.

Melching commented, “That pool is on its last legs.”

• Public safety officer, cost pegged at $56,571. Longtime school officer Harry Werkema agreed to stay on one more year and Taylor reported district continues to negotiate with the City of Wayland on a proposal for filling the post.

Public Improvement Funding

The largest expenditure in this category by far is paying $292,000 each year for 10 years for the new science wing addition with five new classrooms.

Other expenses include roofing repairs, locker room improvements, a roof maintenance program, parking lot light replacements, drinking fountain replacements, HVAC upgrades, exterior door replacements, fire door replacements, bus cameras, athletic equipment, playground equipment, sink replacements, bus washing system repairs and asphalt repairs.