Staff writer
The official 2015-16 enrollment count at Centre schools is 209.5, a drop of four from the previous year. Online enrollment is estimated to be at 265, a drop of 10. The number is dependent on enrollees who complete their studies.
The head count per grade is kindergarten, 9; first grade, 10; second, 15; third, 16; fourth, 28; fifth, 13; sixth, 15; seventh, 21; eighth, 11; freshmen, 15; sophomores, 24; juniors, 22; and seniors, 14.
At its monthly meeting Monday, the board of education approved the purchase of a new school bus from Midwest Transit for $82,694 minus $12,000 on a trade-in.
The board approved a $3,850 purchase of an aquaponic system for the greenhouse, funded by the Farm to School grant.
The board approved a property, casualty, and fleet insurance premium to Copeland Insurance of $54,231, a reduction of more than $1,000 from the previous year.
Anita Svoboda, Mark Heiser, and Jesse Brunner were appointed to the negotiations committee, with Heiser as chief negotiator.
After a 20-minute executive session to discuss a student matter and an 80-minute executive session to discuss personnel, the board hired Matt Warta as a bus monitor, as needed, at $10 per hour. Warta also manages the concession stand.
Peggy Falen was hired at $30 an hour for clerical work as needed. Summer Meyer was employed as a bus driver on the Burdick route for $10.50 an hour.