New Tech school funding covered

Just a few days after the announcement of Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget for 2012-2013, Niles Community Schools Superintendent Richard Weigel presented an outline of the district’s finances to members of the district’s school board.

During that presentation, Weigel said the district would have to cut $2.7 million from its budget in order to survive what could be severe reductions in state funding and increases in retirement and insurance expenses for teachers.

That was on Monday night.

The following morning, Weigel was on site of the future Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy, a reserved hallway at Niles High School that will be home to the new project-based learning school.

Indeed, the superintendent is not slowing down on moving forward with the new school, which may have many wondering — where is he getting the money?

Having “approached foundations throughout Berrien County,” Weigel said, “we have pledges of up to a half-million dollars.”

Those funds will be distributed to the district for the academy over a period of three to four years, Weigel said.