The Board approved the preliminary FY 2016 budget, which will result in a negative receipts vs. expenditures for the year of $98,500. The budget will be placed on display for a minimum of 30 days, and public hearing and adoption will be at the June board meeting. There may be some revisions prior to adoption.
They approved the payment of the ten-year life safety survey done by Lansford Architects of Carterville for the district’s school buildings. Estimated cost for repairs and improvements to the buildings totals $65,000. It will be paid for using fire prevention and safety funds.
Also approved was the sale of the property owned by the district located at 713 Seventh Street, formerly the Pre-K building. They accepted the highest bid of $25,000 from Megan Goff of Logo Graphics.
Board members were nominated to the various committees by President Thomas Scates.
The school district received two state aid payments in April totalling $377,260, as well as $306,982 in other payments, plus $102,745 in local taxes and $55,782 from the one percent sales tax. The state still owes them $28,000.
In the superintendent’s report, Brad Lee said they are working to schedule an insurance committee meeting next week with representation from Egyptian Trust. Next year’s employee’s insurance premiums will see a 13% increase since their plan was not raised to the full amount last year. The trust is now offering plans which if they decide to participate, could save them 5%. This will be explained at the meeting and a recommendation may be discussed with the board.
The White County CEO Board hired Tracy Orr as White County CEO program facillitator. The program begins this fall.
And the Carmi Chamber of Commerce has awarded five $200 grants to teachers in the district to help further the education of students.
In other business: they accepted the resignations of Betty Risch as a personal nurses aid at Washington school effective August 10th, Barbara Fleck as special education aid effective may 26th, Abbie Bickett as high school assistant volleyball coach effective May 12th and Linda Trout as noon hour supervisor at Lincoln school effective at the end of this school year.
Also, the retirement of Mary Jordan as head cook at the junior/senior high school effective July 31st; medical leave for Washington school custodian Darrell Nelson beginning June 13th through August 12th; and maternity leave for Washington school teacher Corey Ackerman effective August 11th.
Copy paper, pest control and bread bids were approved, and they accepted $325 in donations to the Brownsville school.
The board went into closed session at 7:23 p.m.
In that executive session, the Board employed Joy McCully as the Lincoln Building secretary for the remainder of the school year, and employed Laura Goematt at the Central Office receptionist/transportation secretary/foodservice manager for the remainder of the school year.
Clinton Wolff was employed as the freshman boys basketball coach for the upcoming school year and Chris Courty was hired as the boys tennis coach for next year.
