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U-M research effort aims to help restore Great Lakes See Page 5-A

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Belleville girls prepare for basketball season See Page 1-C

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50
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2012 Weave the Web:
Make sure to click on www.heritage.com around the clock for the most in-depth coverage. See most popular stories....Michigan Football Opinion: Time to focus on trip to Ohio State.

VOL. 28, NO. 47

Audit says district books in better shape than past

Small reserve fund a cause for concern, however
By Jerry LaVaute
Special Writer

In the annual audit of its financial records for the 2011-12 fiscal year, the Van Buren Public Schools

administration and school board ing the accounting firm of Taylor earned an unqualified rating, the and Morgan CPA, which audited highest level of assurance that its the records this year. financial reports accuThe improvement rately portray its financomes despite funding VAN BUREN cial condition, and that challenges for all state procedures are in place PUBLIC SCHOOLS school districts and to help ensure effective bad news in particular control. for Van Buren schools, The books are in much better including: A foundation allowance from shape than they were in the past, according to Tom Taylor, represent- the state of Michigan that declined

from $7,689 per student in 2007-08, to $7,318 this year A decline in student enrollment that moved from 6,325 students in 2007-08 to 5,347 this year, a decrease of 15 percent. Taylor said that more than 80 percent of the districts revenue comes from two sources: the foundation allowance and local
PLEASE SEE AUDIT/10-A

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School board reviews ag, pledge rules

By Jerry LaVaute
Special Writer

INDEX
Editorial Calendar Sports Page 4-A Page 4-B Page 1-C

Accommodating recent changes in state law consumed some of the Van Buren Public School Boards attention at its regular meeting on Nov. 12. School Board President Martha Toth said that recent changes in Michigan law require that a United States flag be placed in each classroom.

Another change in the law provided an opportunity each day for Belleville High School students to say the Pledge of Allegiance, similar to what is now done in the Van Buren elementary and middle schools. Toth said that U.S. flags were already in most classrooms, but that local veterans, led by Bob Krouse and George Kennedy, had contributed 35 flags to be placed in select classrooms

among the schools, now that the new high school was completed, the middle schools reconfigured, and better use of classroom space was achieved in the remaining elementary schools. In other business, the board approved funding for electronic security enhancement to allow public access to the high schools new fitness room, while securing the rest of

the school from the public in the evening, after students have gone home. That change cost $35,000 of the $44,000 that was approved by the board for what were called hardware changes to the new high school. A new high-tech AltoShaam Combi oven will be added to the BHS kitchen at a cost of $23,000. According to VBPS Food Service Supervisor Karen Sanders, This oven can be used to

steam, bake or oven-fry using steam, convection heat, or a combination of both. Sanders added, The quality of the food would be greatly enhanced by using the combination cooking methods. Also, we need something to replace the fryers for the speed in food preparation and combi ovens can cook faster than
PLEASE SEE BOARD/10-A

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