LCS T & I Boosters group organizes

LCS senior Chris Bruscher repairs a machine in the school's Trades and Industries building. Bruscher works as an assistant at the building, gaining experience and earning credit. After the announcement that the T & I program would be cut back due to a tight budget, a booster club formed to support the program. [Click to enlarge]

The purpose of the booster club is to assist the school's T & I staff in promoting the automotive and welding programs.

The representatives, Denise Anthony, Linda Niehus, Brenda DeLance and instructor Paul Fischer, explained that, pending final approval from the board of education, they have people in place to serve as officers of the organization.

According to the group's constitution, officers will include a president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, all serving without compensation.

"We have people ready to be officers," Anthony said. "We already have some money on hand, and others have told us they will donate once we know where the money goes."

Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt complimented the group for their constitution, which was modeled after one used by the LCS Music Boosters.

"The document is well done," he said. "There is no opposition from the administration to this group organizing."

"We've received positive comments," said Niehus of the group and their hope to raise funds for the program.

"We do plan to do some type of fundraisers," Anthony said.

Wendt explained the funds from the group are currently being funneled through the LCS Foundation until such time the group can form its own non-profit status. "Right now, getting that is cost prohibitive," said Anthony.

Voting members of the organization are the parents and/or guardians of all T & I students enrolled in the Le Mars Community High School T & I (Automotive and Welding) programs. Associate members are any other adult and/or Le Mars Community Alumnus interested in the purpose of the organization and will be non-voting members.

The welding portion of the district's T & I program was cut in April, part of a budget reduction effort totaling $254,000 to balance the budget for 2008-09 school year. The cuts were needed due to a drop in enrollment of 81 students for the 2007-08 school year.

Board member Dan Smith asked about fundraising projects planned. "We have lots of ideas but wanted to get your (the board's) approval before moving forward," Anthony said.

Board member Patrick Murphy said he was totally in favor of the organization, but said, "You're really in a tenuous position."

"Every negative has a positive," said board member Cris Collins as he nodded his approval to the group.

The board, by consensus, gave the group its approval to proceed. The matter will be put on the board's May 27 agenda for formal action.

Later in the meeting, the LCS board approved a 28E contract between Le Mars Community School District and Western Iowa Tech Community College.

The agreement sets the rules for providing jointly administered college level courses to high school students through WITCC.

Wendt told the board the district's T & I welding courses were offered as dual credit courses.

The district is currently in discussions with WITCC officials in how to offer the Welding II course needed by current students.

"We are still talking about the Welding II course," Wendt said.

WITCC officials have suggested the hiring of an adjunct faculty member, who would teach the Welding II program in the afternoon to the high school students and then teach an evening class in welding for adults.

Supplemental weighing of the dual credit course students allows for some state funding for the school district. However, Wendt said the district does not have money to fund a faculty position and cannot fund it to keep within the budget cuts the board passed in April.

Wendt noted this may be an area where the new T & I Boosters could be of help with funding.

Collins said he knew of one adult who was interested in taking additional welding training if it were offered as an evening course.