Published: October 21, 2009 12:46 pm      

Joshua approves wireless system

Joshua school trustees approved a $381,555 expenditure at Monday night’s regularly scheduled board meeting for the purchase of a Cisco wireless access system for the school district.

Installation will add another $10,000 to the pricetag, Superintendent Ray Dane said. Installation should be under way in 30 days.

“We have limited wireless access now,” Dane said. “This will give us wireless all over the district so we can use our technology equipment more efficiently. Classes with laptop computers, for instance, will be able to access Internet through the wireless system.”

In other business, the board reviewed and approved district investment policies and approved a revision in local policy on non-school use of school facilities. Clarifications were made in fees and availability.

Dane said he also updated the board on state revenue, in light decreases in the school district due to flu and related illnesses. ADA (average daily attendance) revenue is directly tied to enrollment.

“Attendance is down a lot,” he said. “It’s 92 to 93 percent, which is not good when your goal is 96 percent. That’s a hickey financially when you continue to have the same expenses. It’s a hickey for school districts all over the state. I told the board that I hope TEA can come up with a resolution to help districts through the attendance problem. I hope there will be some kind of decision soon from TEA so school districts will know if they need to cut in other areas.”

Barring a district-wide flu epidemic, Joshua ISD could defray any ADA revenue decreases with money from its fund balance. JISD officially has a $17.7 million reserve.

“That was the audited balance at the end of the 2007-08 fiscal year,” Dane said. “We’re truly blessed. We hope it will be upwards of $20 [million] in our next audit. We’re now in the process of auditing.”