Whitnall Could be Heard Loud, Clear Through New Sound System

First-year Whitnall High School Athletic Director remembers being introduced to the school gymnasium’s sound system last fall.

It was an introduction that left a bad taste in his mouth.

“I immediately recognized we weren’t going to have a good relationship,” Elertson quipped during a meeting Monday.

The system is no longer audible when the volume is turned up too high, and at times during the 2011-12 winter season, the school contracted with a DJ to bring in a sound system for half-time shows and public address announcements.

Elertson said the current system is an antique and needs to be replaced.

“It’s not functional anymore,” he said. “That’s where we’re at.”

Elertson combed through his budget, and asked Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Matt Karshna to do the same. Together, by putting off purchases, finding cheaper ways to complete some projects and benefiting from lower heating costs during the mild winter, they came up with slightly more than $30,000, which would cover the costs of the new system.

“We found money in the existing budget,” Elertson said. “There is no additional money that we’re asking for.”

Elertson asked the Board on Monday to approve the project as soon as possible. He told Board members that if he received approval by the end of the week, the new system would be in place by the high school’s June 3 commencement ceremony.

The Board, however, was not prepared to vote on the proposal Monday, and it does not meet again until May 21. If it were approved then, the project likely will not be completed by commencement, forcing the school to contract a DJ.

In other Board news:

Another revenue cut is on the horizon for the district.

According to Business Manager Doug Johnson, the Department of Public Instruction informed school districts across the state that that after 13 years of increasing the aid tied to open enrollment, the per pupil aid amount will be slashed in 2012-13.

Johnson said the 2011-12 amount per student was $6,867 and the 2012-13 estimate is $6,445, a reduction of $422 or 6 percent per pupil. That will equate to an approximate decrease of $56,000 in revenue for the district next school year.

Also, the Board unanimously approved the 2012-13 preliminary staffing plan and the health insurance plan that will save the district $16,095 through the implementation of four different measures, .