END OF THE YEAR
This Superintendent’s Corner marks the beginning of May, and once again, where did the school year go? We will soon celebrate another year of growth and some outstanding accomplishments. Of course, these achievements are not possible without the help and support we receive from our Limestone Walters parents. You are truly the best, and the staff and I are most grateful for all that you do.
CURRICULUM GUIDES – 4 Quarter Plans
Our staff has completed work on four quarter plans that will be available on the website for the 2015 – 2016 school year. The purpose of these plans is to share with parents what skills they can expect their son or daughter to be taught during the school year. We have divided the year into the four nine week periods so you can have a snapshot of your child’s curriculum. More information will be forthcoming next fall.
BUILDING UPDATES
Within the next couple of weeks, we will have a few more acoustical panels installed to help with the sound in the gymnasium. These final panels are a continuation of a maintenance grant from the state. As far as summer building projects are concerned, most of the work this summer will be routine maintenance. The Board continues to be a good steward of tax payer dollars, and is keeping a safe balance in the operation and maintenance fund should an unexpected expenditure occur. However, if the Peoria County Facility Sales Tax initiative were to be placed on the ballot again in the future, the funds from those sales would help facility upgrades at Limestone Walters. An example of this type of sales tax in action is taking place in the Westlake Shopping Center on Sterling Avenue in Peoria. The city of Peoria passed a sales tax to fund the improvements in that shopping center. The latest figures presented to me on a successful passage of Peoria County Facility Sales Tax would generate approximately $100,000 to $120,000 annually for Limestone Walters. In these difficult economic times of our state, these new funds would be most welcome to say the least. I will continue to keep you informed.
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE
One item that we will be engaging in this summer is an upgrade to our technology infrastructure. Approximately every 3 years we try to upgrade our devices. This summer we plan to add some chrome books and additional Ipads, along with replacing some current laptops. We are able to make these purchases using a lease agreement. Part of the lease is covered with local funds and part of it is covered with a grant that we receive. By leasing over a three year period, we are able to keep the cost affordable while still being able to keep abreast of the latest technology.
STATE BUDGET
I am sure many of you have been reading in the paper about the state’s budget woes for next school year. By law, the legislature is required to have passed a budget to the governor by May 31. If that date comes and goes, and it has in the past, then the budget requires a 3/5 majority vote to pass. There have been overtime legislations in the past, and there is a chance that could happen this year. The state has many difficult choices before it, and I do not believe education will be spared. However, I do believe Limestone Walters is positioned well financially to weather some cuts. We will just have to see what they are.
You are always welcome to contact me at any time. Remember that the greatest gift you can give your children is your time.
Sincerely,
Tim Dotson, Superintendent
This Superintendent’s Corner marks the beginning of May, and once again, where did the school year go? We will soon celebrate another year of growth and some outstanding accomplishments. Of course, these achievements are not possible without the help and support we receive from our Limestone Walters parents. You are truly the best, and the staff and I are most grateful for all that you do.
CURRICULUM GUIDES – 4 Quarter Plans
Our staff has completed work on four quarter plans that will be available on the website for the 2015 – 2016 school year. The purpose of these plans is to share with parents what skills they can expect their son or daughter to be taught during the school year. We have divided the year into the four nine week periods so you can have a snapshot of your child’s curriculum. More information will be forthcoming next fall.
BUILDING UPDATES
Within the next couple of weeks, we will have a few more acoustical panels installed to help with the sound in the gymnasium. These final panels are a continuation of a maintenance grant from the state. As far as summer building projects are concerned, most of the work this summer will be routine maintenance. The Board continues to be a good steward of tax payer dollars, and is keeping a safe balance in the operation and maintenance fund should an unexpected expenditure occur. However, if the Peoria County Facility Sales Tax initiative were to be placed on the ballot again in the future, the funds from those sales would help facility upgrades at Limestone Walters. An example of this type of sales tax in action is taking place in the Westlake Shopping Center on Sterling Avenue in Peoria. The city of Peoria passed a sales tax to fund the improvements in that shopping center. The latest figures presented to me on a successful passage of Peoria County Facility Sales Tax would generate approximately $100,000 to $120,000 annually for Limestone Walters. In these difficult economic times of our state, these new funds would be most welcome to say the least. I will continue to keep you informed.
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE
One item that we will be engaging in this summer is an upgrade to our technology infrastructure. Approximately every 3 years we try to upgrade our devices. This summer we plan to add some chrome books and additional Ipads, along with replacing some current laptops. We are able to make these purchases using a lease agreement. Part of the lease is covered with local funds and part of it is covered with a grant that we receive. By leasing over a three year period, we are able to keep the cost affordable while still being able to keep abreast of the latest technology.
STATE BUDGET
I am sure many of you have been reading in the paper about the state’s budget woes for next school year. By law, the legislature is required to have passed a budget to the governor by May 31. If that date comes and goes, and it has in the past, then the budget requires a 3/5 majority vote to pass. There have been overtime legislations in the past, and there is a chance that could happen this year. The state has many difficult choices before it, and I do not believe education will be spared. However, I do believe Limestone Walters is positioned well financially to weather some cuts. We will just have to see what they are.
You are always welcome to contact me at any time. Remember that the greatest gift you can give your children is your time.
Sincerely,
Tim Dotson, Superintendent