Centre tax rate decreases
Staff writer
In a brief hearing Monday, the Centre board of education approved a 2014-15 school budget that increased the district’s spending authority by $370,000.
The increase comes from a raise in property valuations and in funding from the state. The budget calls for general spending authority of $3,344,154 and a supplemental of $771,880. Capital outlay expenditures are capped at $300,000.
The budget also included an estimated tax rate of 44.74 mills, a drop of more than 1.6 mills from the previous year.
Because of a larger-than-anticipated enrollment in Centre’s Kansas Online Learning Program, the board approved the purchase of 50 additional laptop computers for $15,985. As of Monday, 289 virtual students were enrolled.
Teacher Cindy Riedel was hired as a mentor to new teacher Julie Keithline. Riedel will receive $250.
May graduate Tim Vinduska was awarded a $1,000 scholarship to assist with high school football. Vinduska is a freshman at Tabor College.
The district’s three regular route bus drivers received a 2-percent raise at a cost of approximately $800. Transportation director Bob Mueller said that because of a lack of bus drivers, he would run the fourth regular route. One substitute is available and more are needed, he said.
The board approved out-of-district attendance of sophomore Alexa Ammann and freshman Kelsey Turner, both of Herington.
The board approved the online sale of old wood shop equipment, technology equipment, and other unused items.