MEADOW HEIGHTS MUST REPAY MORE THAN $30,000 TO STATE

PATTON -- After seven months in limbo, the Meadow Heights school board finally can start repaying its debts.

The district owes $44,242 to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

In July, the board discovered that incorrect attendance figures were reported to the state from 1990-1992. At least 17 fictitious students were added to attendance records.

Those records then were used to calculate state funding for the Meadow Heights district in Northern Bollinger County.

An investigation by the state education department supported the board's findings.

Superintendent Tom Waller resigned from the school district Aug. 11.

The school district will only repay $30,572. In addition, the district is forfeiting $13,670 in state money it would have received during the 1994-95 school year.

Superintendent Cheri Fuemmeler said the school is still trying to renegotiate the payment schedule and decide when they begin.

Harold Miinch, a school board member, said just knowing that payments begin soon will help the board plan for upcoming years.

"We've not heard when the schedule begins," he said. "But from what I've heard a percentage will be held out each year."

Some state monies normally received by the district have already been applied to the debt. The remainder will likely be paid over a two-year period.

"It's good to know," said Junior Cook, another board member. "So we can get on with what we're doing."

Since payments haven't begun the board isn't certain how this will affect school finances. "It's difficult on the budget," Cook said.

If the district has take the payment out in a lump sum then other areas of the budget will be affected, Cook added.

Board members Roy Allen, Phyllis Bollinger, Sandy Raines and Millie Yates could not be reached Tuesday evening by the Southeast Missourian.

Board member Dennis Mouser refused comment.