Staff writer
A list of potential actions that could be taken now by the board and school administrators to reduce expenses was reviewed Monday by USD 397 Board of Education.
In addition to considering more cuts, the board also authorized the clerk to make any needed transfers from the contingency reserve to the general fund to cover possible shortfalls in funds for payroll and warrants for the remainder of the 2009-10 school year.
As of Monday, there was $146,968.86 in the reserve. Only a small amount of that may be needed to meet the $125,000 monthly payroll.
Clerk Peggy Falen said state aid payments are due the first of each month. This month, the district received a one-half payment Monday with no certainty of when the remainder will be received. It is hoped the contingency reserve can be built back up in the future.
Actions taken by administrators could include approving purchase requisitions only for essential instructional material; encouraging paperless staff communications; lowering heating thermostats and using air conditioning only when necessary; eliminating district contributions for out-of-state transportation to student events; encouraging staff to reduce copying and laminating and to utilize technology to save on paper usage; and eliminating summer team sports camps.
The board by consensus struck down a proposal to no longer purchase coffee brewed for staff members.
The board was asked to consider eliminating Biddy Basketball, morning supervision of weightlifting, spring class field trips, noon pre-Kindergarten transportation beginning Feb. l, swimming lessons, the summer ball program, summer weightlifting, and student insurance for summer recreation programs.
Superintendent Jerri Kemble also presented estimated savings from each potential elimination.
The board discussed Biddy Basketball and voted 3-3 on a motion to eliminate the program, essentially keeping the program in force. Board members discussed possible ways to do it with less expense, such as using volunteer coaches and high school students as assistants. No other action was taken.
The board also discussed turning the summer ball program over to communities.
Communities with active ball diamonds are Lincolnville, Tampa, and Burdick. If the program were given back to them, they would be responsible for raising the money to pay for lights, team fees, and equipment. This could come from the towns themselves and/or from participants.
Terry Deines presented a report on the financial picture for Marion County Special Education Cooperative and possible options for putting it back in the black. A lengthy discussion followed.
The board approved Lisa Beye’s employment by Herington USD 487 as an assistant basketball coach. She will take personal leave when she needs to leave early for coaching.
The board also approved a $3,050 purchase of two packages of 32-pad radio frequency clickers for use in classrooms, with trade-in of clickers no longer usable. Clickers are used by students to answer questions projected onto a board in front of the classroom.
The board met in executive session for almost 35 minutes with Kemble to discuss employer-employee negotiations for the 2010-11 school year. According to Kemble, the board must submit a list of items to be negotiated to Centre Teachers Association by Feb. 1
Kemble reported that 14 individuals have been invited to meet together for a district goal-setting session at 7 p.m. Jan. 20 in the high school library. She said responses have been positive.
Principal Nadine Smith reported the Eisenhower League Scholars Bowl tournament would be at Centre High School at 4 p.m. Jan. 25. The regional scholars bowl tournament also will be at Centre at 4 p.m. Feb. 3.