The Fiscal Year 2017 budget was approved. The District has a balance of $1.9 million in receipts versus expenditures.
Also approved was the district insurance renewal with Wright Specialty Insurance for package, boiler or machinery, auto, umbrella and legal liability for a total premium of $134,000 as presented through M.H. Insurance Centre of Marion. This is an annual premium increase of $11,400 or 9.3% over expiring premiums. The increase is due largely to the increase of the auto. .worker’s compensation coverage will be presented later in the year with a January first renewal date.
They also accepted the highest bid for the purchase of the property and the contents currently owned by the District located at 700 State Street in Crossville, formerly known as the Crossville Attendance Center. The amount was $40,387, bid by Brad and Larry Cox.
Mark Renshaw of the Support Staff Association, along with about 25 other members, were in attendance at the meeting. Renshaw read a statement saying the group still does not have a contract agreement with the District and has not received a wage increase in five years. They are asking for a fair increase and will continue to work with the District in good faith until an agreement is reached.
In the Superintendent’s report, Brad Lee said the District’s sixth-day enrollment for this school year was 1,397, which is up four students from last year.
The first day to be circulating petitions for members of the Board of Education will be today, September 20th. They are available at the White County Clerk’s office. The filing date of the petitions will be December 12th to the 19th.
The Carmi Chamber of Commerce has awarded $200 grants each to five teachers in the District, who were selected by the Chamber’s education committee.
Marcus Lynn, who teaches seventh and eighth grade science, received an I-STEM grant, which is a federal grant for public school teachers. It includes $300 in classroom supplies as well as discovery education subscriptions worth $45 per student, which is about $1,400 in services. The money is being used to purchase science activities and measurement tools that will help students learn sciences through the new next generation science standards.
Lee said they have received two state aid payments totaling $398,211 and are still owed $225,000. Total receipts for August were $2.1 million.
Director of Instruction, Dr. Amy Dixon, gave a report on state test scores for the 2015-16 school year. She said literacy and math scores for grades three through eight and eleven were above or right above the state average and believes that scores should continue to increase. She also noted that high school students will be moved to SAT testing for the 2017-18 school year.
In other business, the Board approved filing the application for accreditation of schools for each school in the District.
The adoption of a resolution with IDOT listing the District’s current serious safety hazard approvals.
Changes in board policy concerning vacancies on the board of education, using animals in the education program, parent organizations and booster clubs and public suggestions and concerns were read. Final action is set for next month’s board meeting.
And the resignation of Justin Simmons as assistant high school baseball coach effective immediately.
The Board appointed President Thomas Scates to preside over an employee disciplinary hearing. The Board then went into closed session at 7:33 p.m.
In the executive session, the Board terminated an unnamed employee accused of misconduct. No details about the nature of the offense or identity of the employee were given.
The Board approved the hiring of Suzy Tomm as a special education teacher and Lisa Best as a part time special education aide at Lincoln Attendance Center. Keisha Sisco and Tonya Cobb were employed as noon supervisors at Lincoln and Karen Stull was employed as a breakfast supervisor at Jefferson.
Jeremiah Downen and Robert Alan Benham were employed as custodians at Washington, and Sara Rider was hired as a custodian at the high school.
Jonathan Goematt was employed as the 8th grade girls basketball coach, while Clay Gray was hired as the 7th grade girls basketball coach, while Dave Gray was approved as a volunteer girls basketball coach for 7th and 8th grades.
The Board approved Alice Bryant, Marilyn Gentry, Don Hildreth, Karen Jackson, Jema Mitchell, Paula Jill Musgrave, and Janet Rice as building volunteers.
