Staff writer
USD 398 voted July 13 to unanimously approved for publication a budget that includes an increase of less than one mill.
Superintendent Rex Watson and board members discussed the state budget, district assessed valuation, local option budget choices, and other issues related to the 2009-10 budget.
The board will take a final vote on the budget at its August meeting.
Busing for students after practice and after away games remained a budget casualty. However, the board approved busing Burns and rural students to and from home for scheduled practices before the first day of school.
Terry Eberhard, lifelong Peabody resident, was elected 2009-10 school board president. The vote was 6-0-1 with Eberhard abstaining.
The board elected Gary Jones vice president.
Board members also appointed Watson as superintendent; Sharlene Brooks, clerk of the board; and Patti Gaines, treasurer for the 2009-10 school year.
Board appointments include Tony Zappone as Marion County Special Education Cooperative representative; Julia Ensminger as TEEN representative; Gary Jones, board investment committee representative; Ken Parry, Tim Robertson, Rex Watson, and Bill Spangler, policy review committee members; and Barry Peter and Tony Zappone, Kansas Association of School Boards governmental relations representatives.
In other business:
- Emergency substitute certificates were approved for Cindy Harms, Robin Mesecher, Lynette Mull, Dianne Nickel, Jim Pohlman, Lorrie Reynolds, Joseph Bruner, Jason Berger, and Beth Eldridge. Standard substitute licenses were approved for Leslie Allison, Pam Lamborn, Donna Stucky, and Linda Wetta.
- The resignation of custodian Jacob Lopez was accepted.
- Petty cash, credit card, and debit card limits for the 2009-10 school year were established.
- Resolutions were passed to establish meeting dates, times, and places; the annual waiver of requirements for generally accepted accounting principles; the school calendar in hours; authorize early payment of claims; authorize destruction of records; and rescind policy statements from 2008-09 meeting minutes and adopt a policy manual or written statements.
- Student book fees were waived for families completing and submitting all appropriate enrollment forms.
- A board and staff picnic will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at City Park.
- The district handbook and fee schedule were approved.
- After a 15-minute executive session to discuss matters relating to a student, the board agreed to approve the early graduation requests for Rushanna Smith, Felecia Pohlman, and Anna Garcia at the end of first semester providing each student meets all graduation requirements.
- The board established a policy for purchases from Depler Band Fund. The board voted to use money from the general fund to replace instruments and leave the fund’s principal intact. The interest from the fund may be used if necessary.