School budget panel sets revenue amount, board to hold special meeting, Flo PD begins 'twitter-like' service and check that ground beef.

Budget committee sets revenue number… Board to discuss job cuts

The Siuslaw School District will have $982-thousand more to work with in the coming year than anticipated. In April when the budget committee first convened, they were looking at a $1.7-million shortfall with estimated general fund revenues of just under $12.2 million. Voters subsequently approved a local operating levy that will generate just over a million dollars this year, plus the legislature is expected to kick in an extra $140-thousand. In all, that would total an extra $1.2-million but Superintendent George Winterscheid, backed by several school board members, is advocating a conservative approach by eliminating accrual… an accounting ‘manuever’ where cash is borrowed from future years to be spent in the current year. That amount has grown to $440-thousand and Winterscheid had initially wanted to repay half of that amount. Now he’s advocating for a full payback and by doing so he says, it would help put the district on more sound fiscal footing. The budget committee heard from several district employees, parents and residents last night. They ultimately approved $13,177,000 as the general fund revenue number.

School board members attempted to convene a special meeting immediately following last night’s budget session but quickly cancelled those plans when it was determined they may be in violation of Oregon Open Meeting Laws. Instead, board chair Paul Burns announced a special session to be held Friday morning, 7:30 AM, at the district office. He didn’t specify the intent of the meeting, but it’s expected the board will deliberate on budget issues. Of particular concern: which of the 21 jobs targeted for elimination will be restored as a result of the added revenue. Superintendent George Winterscheid provided a list of 13 jobs he wants restored including a band teacher, elementary school PE and several classroom teachers at all levels. Teacher’s union president Tim Dodson suggested last night that at least two more jobs could be added to the restoration list.

The Florence Police Department is launching a new community information service designed to deliver timely and important data to residents. It’s called Nixle and is a technology-based networking system similar to Twitter. Residents and media members would sign up for the program via the department’s website and once enrolled would receive notifications about public safety emergencies such as tsunamis or amber alerts. Those messages would be delivered via the internet, cell phones or e-mail. Police Chief Maury Sanders said there’ll be no spam or advertising allowed.

Nearly 40-thousand pounds of ground beef products marketed under the Cascade Natural Beef and SP Provisions brands are being recalled by a Portland company because it may be contaminated by E.coli. The US Agriculture Department said the bulk ground beef and patties were produced between April 8th and May 28th. Routine sampling turned up the problem, The department says there have been no illnesses reported.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

It’s billed as National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June, but it’s also become a significant event in Oregon’s State Parks and is more popularly known as “Free Fishing Day”. Saturday from 8:30 to One PM at Cleowox Lake at Honeyman State Park volunteers with the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program will be on hand to help kids out with fishing basics and techniques. Gear will be provided for participants to borrow if they don’t have any, as well as food, drink and prizes. It’s co-sponsored by the US Forest Service and Honeyman State Park.

If you want to get a head start on National Trails Day, a special day of outdoor activities is planned for the Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint north of Florence tomorrow. From 8:30 to 10:00 there will be guided explorations of tidepools. Then from 1:30 to three a birding session will be offered.