City council approves $45,000 appropriation for school system
The Madison City Council approved an annual appropriation agreement allocating $45,000 to Madison City Schools.
Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said the money would be used primarily to pay for crossing guards.
Fowler informed the council that 13 teachers were cut because of budget limitations, so this money was some good news.
“I guess the most surprising part of it is that our enrolled from April until today is up 300 kids exactly,” Fowler said.
He said the board of education is appreciative of the financial support the council has given.
“The intent in our budget would be to spend that on crossing guards,” he said. “We would use this $45,000 to help offset this cost.”
Fowler also said the funds would help with minimize those costs as well as help with salaries for the school resource officers (SROs).
Officials from the Hogan Family YMCA also received news. The council approved an $85,500 appropriation for the facility.
Scott Mounts gave an update on the Hogan Y.
Mounts said it’s an “exciting time” for the YMCA and said he is “very pleased” with the response he has received from the city of Madison.
Mounts announced the YMCA will have a Board of Management, with resident Steve Burcham.
Mounts said more than 11,000 use the YMCA’s facilities on a regular basis.
“If my calculations are correct, that’s about 25 percent of the residents in Madison,” he said.
He went on to name events that have been hosted Y since its opening, including the Madison Business Expo and a number of non-community events.
From an economic standpoint, Mounts noted that the YMCA employees 102 full-time and part-time employees and brings in about $1 million annually
Mounts also noted that the YMCA does also serve as a non-profit 503c.
So far $80,000 has been given to people in need of services, another $47,000 for equipment and $27,000 for temporary parking.
“All of these costs, as well as the extra 100,000 to supply staff, comes out of operating costs,” he said.
The Hogan Y has give $28,000 scholarships to families of active military, more than $4,000 to people who have been laid off from work and the remainder went to aid those who need help with membership fees.
