Newspaper Articles

Over the years, Nathan has written for many newspapers including Huntington University’s “Huntintonian” and “The Berne Tri-Weekly News.” Since 2008, he has worked free lance for the “Tri-Weekly” covering various events, including school board meetings, as well as taking on the positions of “Videographer” for the newspaper’s web video content and “Social Media Specialist,” which oversees all forms of web media for the company website, including their twitter and facebook pages.

For more articles, check out Nathan’s Newspaper Article Archive.

Featured Newspaper Article

A.C. Board Considers 2009 Budget
By Nathan Hartman

“It’s going to be an interesting budget year,” Michael Pettibone, superintendent of Adam Central schools, exclaimed at this years A.C. school board budget workshop. And, as the night progressed, much of the board agreed with him.

To begin, Pettibone went into detail on the recent state legislation of “HB 1001”. He explained that, because of this recent federal decision, not only would the state sales tax increase from six to seven percent, but also local taxes, which support the general funds of Indiana schools, and the Preschool tax would no longer exist.

Pettibone went on to explain that, because the Preschool and local tax for schools have been taken away, the state will now fund the money needed in these two areas. This means that, although local citizens will be paying less upfront, the money needed will be made in the one percent raise in sales tax. Simply put, as the citizen, you are still paying the piper the same amount, but just taking it to him by a different route.

At this new prospect, the board showed mixed opinions. Member Steve Maller showed concern that the money appropriated would now depend ultimately on how much sales tax the federal government will receive from Hoosier consumers. If people spend less, then the federal system must first balance their budgets and then give what is left to the school systems. “It will work if people keep buying,” Maller commented. “If they don’t, will be in trouble.”

Next, the board went on to review the five-year histories of their different funds. They looked at the general fund, consisting of employee salaries and benefits, capital projects, which is used in maintenance and repairs, debt services, used to pay off the loans put up for the 2002 addition and pool, transportation, dealing with the payment for fuel and drives, and, finally, bus replacements, which handles the twelve year plan to purchase new and up-to-date vehicles.

In this process, a major concern was brought forth on the general fund, which, as you remember, pays the salaries of the teaching staff. Pettibone believed in advertising an appropriation of 7.3 million dollars whereas the state suggested a budget of twelve percent less, coming to around 6.5 million. This state suggestion, which most likely will rise when all figures are considered, is less then in the previous three years even though A.C. has increased its student attendance and has inflationary costs. “Our numbers are going up, gas is more, and they want to give us the lowest appropriation in three years?” Pettibone questioned. This was something that did not sit well with the board.

Finally, Pettibone projected a 2009 local school tax of 3.2 million dollars, which is over a million and a half less then in 2008. One of the factors behind this is the increase in sales tax allows for reduction of the local school tax. What few realize is that the money being paid by the local consumer in sales tax is greater than the reduction of the local property tax, causing the consumer to empty even more from their pockets.

To gain a further understanding of this issue or have your questions answered; the board will hold a public hearing on the budget August 29th at 7 a.m.