Editor, Times-Union: I would like to respond to comments made by those associated with the Warsaw School Corporation, and clarify a few facts. As a State Representative, I have worked hard to ensure that Indiana schools receive adequate funding, even in bad economic times. Warsaw Community Schools will, in fact, receive a 3 percent funding increase next year.
School Corp. Year State Funds Increase (%) Per Child Increase (%)
Warsaw 2001 $30,675,271
2002 $32,207,850 5 5.56 2003 $33,654,166 4.5 4.39
2004 $34,677,638 3 3.04 2005 $35,607,349 2.7 2.68
These figures were given by the Department of Education. Funding for 2001-2003 has already been paid to the schools. Funding for 2004 and 2005 is scheduled to be paid, but could possibly increase if schools apply for additional "at-risk" funding.
We've tried hard as a legislature in these tight economic times. All of us need to work together to be fair to the taxpayers and citizens for all school corporations. Hopefully, these facts will provide clear answers to whether Warsaw schools received an increase in school funding.
State Rep. Bill Ruppel Statehouse Indianapolis via e-mail
Soldier Shows Gratitude
Editor, Times-Union: We, along with many of you, donated items to be sent to our military personnel serving in the war. One of the items was a notebook with a cover. We included our name and address on the inside.
To our surprise, the soldier that received it wrote us to express his gratitude. We would like to share it with the community.
"Dear Friends, "Thank you for taking the time to donate to the soldiers serving in Kuwait & Iraq. I received a notebook with your name and address in it so I thought it would be nice to write and express my gratitude. The outpouring of support from home has humbled us. It reminds us of why we are over here fighting. Most of the fighting is, of course, over now, but there is still work to be done. Hopefully we can put an end on the War and get home soon. Once again, thank you.
"Sincerely, "Scott R. Drake "SPC Army" Martin Garza Chris Garza Warsaw via e-mail
Thanks To Library
Editor, Times-Union: We just wanted to thank the Warsaw library for having their summer reading program again this year ... also to the businesses and individuals who helped support it!
