Methvin elected president of Centre school board
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At its Monday meeting, the board of education of Centre USD 397 elected Brent Methvin president and Mark Heiser vice president for the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The board conducted many items of routine business in preparation for the new school year.
The Marion County Record was designated the official newspaper. The district's checking account will remain at Pilsen State Bank, Lincolnville, and district funds will be deposited in PSB and Tampa State Bank, Tampa.
John Klenda was appointed as school attorney and Jeannie Rziha was contracted to provide nursing services.
Substitute pay was set at $75 per day, rising to $80 after five days of continuous service, and mileage reimbursement was raised to .505 cents per mile.
The board spent 37 minutes in executive session, including administrators and 20 minutes with Francis and Mary Jirak. After returning to open session, the board authorized expenditure of up to $500 to replace a flute which was reported missing to the sheriff's office. A student, not publicly identified, had said the instrument was thought to have been left in a secure place at Centre High School. Board member Steve Jirak excused himself from the executive session and following action because of a possible conflict of interest.
The following increases in meal prices were approved: Breakfast — from 70 cents this past year to $1.00 for PreK-4 grade; from 85 cents to $1.10 for 5-12; and from $1.35 to $1.65 for adults and guests. Lunch prices were increased from $1.25 to $1.75 for PreK-4; from $1.75 to $2.00 for 5-12; and from $2.75 to $3.00 for adults and guests. Milk was raised to $.30 per carton (for extra milk) and $24 per semester for PreK-4.
Board re-appointments included Jennifer Kassebaum, TEEN representative; Julie Klenda, governmental relations; and Steve Jirak, summer ball.
After a 10-minute executive session with administrators, the board voted to employ the following: Jennifer Montgomery, Lynley Remy, and Sharon Matz as co-play directors; Robert Mueller as transportation director; Dustin Wiegert as technology systems technician; Christa Crable as assistant cook at the high school site; and Tad Remy as assistant high school football coach.
The board authorized preparation of the 2008-09 budget based on the required 20 mills for the general fund and allowing an additional four-mill capital outlay fund levy, a supplemental general fund levy not to exceed 17.5 mills, and bond and interest fund levy not to exceed 4.5 mills. Superintendent Jerri Kemble said the district will work to keep the actual general fund expenditures at 17.1 mills and the bond and interest at 4 mills.
The board did a first reading of two new policies. One would prohibit bullying of any form by staff members. It would be similar to the policy for students. The second policy would provide for military leave by school employees for up to five years, with reinstatement at the end of their service. Action on these policies will be taken in August.
Lynley Remy presented an update on the work of the facilities committee. The members have met four times this summer and include three PreK-4 instructors, two 5-12 instructors, two itinerant instructors, two board of education representatives, two classified employees, and two administrators. They have identified the pertinent questions which need to be answered regarding a possible relocation of the K-4 grades at Lost Springs to the high school site.
Remy said the next step will be to determine the cost of such a move. She said an expert may be needed to conduct the study. Kemble said she will look into who may be available and report back on how much such an expert's services would cost.
Kemble said an expert recently inspected the roof on the fifth-sixth grade addition for leaks and had determined there were two small holes in the roof's membrane. She said the man was impressed with how the roof was sealed along the edges and said the roof could last another five to 10 years. She also reported that recent rains hadn't resulted in any signs of leaks.
No action was taken on the matter at this time. The board conceded that living with the slight problem might be more cost-effective than trying to remove the gravel off the affected area to locate and repair the holes while risking making more holes in the membrane. They are taking a "wait and see" attitude.
Principal Nadine Smith reported that some flaws were found in the overlay of the main gym floor, and the company that did the work was planning to redo the job this week.
