Touchet Schools Clear of Financial Issues
TOUCHET - The Touchet School District has been through a roller coaster the past few years. At one point bad bookkeeping meant teachers didn't get paid right before Christmas. The state began to investigate and Touchet Schools brought in a new superintendent specialized in solving money problems.
“It's been a roller coaster, but last year was such a good year and we're expecting even better things this year,” said Plucker.
Teachers are expecting better things because of the work of Dr. Eugene Berquam. He was brought in temporarily, just to turn the ship around. The district claims it worked, and money problems are gone.
This allowed Touchet to hire Susan Bell as the new superintendent. She's aware of the history, and says it won't be repeated.
“We're in good standing,” said Bell. “Our fiscal year looks good and we have a fund balance.”
The new look to the Touchet School District continues for the upcoming year. The district made two new hires and enrollment numbers are also up, which is good news for a small district like Touchet.
“We have a lot of indicators for success,” said Bell. “Our enrollment is up and we've posted a couple different jobs and the interest is very high.”
The district may be moving on, but parents haven't forgotten.
“It was a big issue in town,” said parent Karl Seely. “But it didn't seem to affect the teaching or the experience my kid had.”
After a couple years of struggles, Touchet appears to be taking a step in the right direction.
Teachers also shared with action news state budget cuts have impacted their school year. They say the district has limited reserve funds, and they're hoping to avoid any additional cuts mid-year.
“It's been a roller coaster, but last year was such a good year and we're expecting even better things this year,” said Plucker.
Teachers are expecting better things because of the work of Dr. Eugene Berquam. He was brought in temporarily, just to turn the ship around. The district claims it worked, and money problems are gone.
This allowed Touchet to hire Susan Bell as the new superintendent. She's aware of the history, and says it won't be repeated.
“We're in good standing,” said Bell. “Our fiscal year looks good and we have a fund balance.”
The new look to the Touchet School District continues for the upcoming year. The district made two new hires and enrollment numbers are also up, which is good news for a small district like Touchet.
“We have a lot of indicators for success,” said Bell. “Our enrollment is up and we've posted a couple different jobs and the interest is very high.”
The district may be moving on, but parents haven't forgotten.
“It was a big issue in town,” said parent Karl Seely. “But it didn't seem to affect the teaching or the experience my kid had.”
After a couple years of struggles, Touchet appears to be taking a step in the right direction.
Teachers also shared with action news state budget cuts have impacted their school year. They say the district has limited reserve funds, and they're hoping to avoid any additional cuts mid-year.
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