Fiscal report shows 'healthy' fund balance for Wakefield-Marenisco

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Marenisco - Members of the Wakefield-Marenisco Board of Education learned Monday night that the good news outweighs the bad in relation to an audit of the fiscal year ending on June 30.

According to Gus Ahonen, CPA, of Makela, Pollack, and Ahonen, PLLC, of Ironwood, the district had a pension liability of $5,659,153 net, as well as $1,492,314 net in other retiree liabilities at the end of the fiscal year.

He added, however, that these figures actually represent the district's share of the entire state's liability.

Moreover, he said, the district's share of either liability is under 1 percent of the state total.

From a more positive point of view, Ahonen noted that the district's fund balance was $552,626 on June 30, and there were no issues of concern.

The accountant added that the district's unassigned general fund balance stood at $438,777. "This represents an increase to the projected general fund balance of $148,227," said Ahonen. "This is the biggest general fund balance increase the school has had in several years."

Board Vice President Micki Sorensen thanked Gustafson and district business manager Tina Trevarthen for their recent ability to build the fund balance.

According to a Tuesday press release from the school, Gustafson also explained to the board his desire to create a "fab lab" on the third floor of the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School.

The superintendent stated that a fabrication lab would teach students the technological skills they may need as they enter the workforce.

He added that a consultant with related experience has drafted a contract with the school to create a lab that would be available to any student interested in using it.

Gustafson recommended that the board delay in hiring the consultant until more funding details are provided within the next few weeks.

"At that time, I will recommend we hire the consultant to walk us through this process," he said.

The board also:

-Voted to approve virtual learning for students via Michigan Virtual and Odysseyware as program vendors. According to the superintendent, students must take at least one online course as part of the Michigan Department of Education's curriculum requirements. He added that Michigan Virtual allows current students studying foreign languages online to work remotely with a live tutor, as needed. 

-Learned from Brad Dalbec, board president, that he was able to negotiate about $6,500 in savings in relation to construction of a new press box for the football field. Board members had approved a bid of $113,800 last month, with the contingency that Wisconsin contractor Angelo Luppino, Inc. would work with school officials to reduce costs on the project slated for the summer of 2020.

-Heard appreciation from Gustafson for the volleyball team's great start, as well as his good wishes for its upcoming district tournament.

-Heard treasurer Marsha Vestich's praise of recent homecoming floats and trustee Marg Lynott's thanks to the superintendent for organizing last weekend's Fun Frolic at the school.

Board members meet twice a year at the Marenisco Town Hall.

Students will be dismissed at noon today due to parent-teacher conferences.

On Nov. 15, there will be no school for students due to in-service training for teachers.

The board's next regular meeting will be on Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. in the new first-floor board room of the Wakefield-Marenisco School.