Additional aid offsets federal cutbacks of special education
Staff reporter
The good news is Marion County Special Education Cooperative can maintain its current budget without any anticipated increases from the five participating school districts. The bad news is it probably won't be that way in the coming years.
Changes in allowable Medicaid reimbursement may require more participation from the schools in future years.
Latest information indicates there will be $23,800 in categorical aid, $800 more than projected. This will generate approximately $64,000 in additional funds. Special education cooperative director Chris Cezar said he anticipated an estimated loss of $50,000 in Medicaid funds this year and not having all positions filled throughout year will result in the carry-over being more.
In other business:
— The board approved a policy that would pay $25 per day for unused sick leave to those who retire from the cooperative.
Currently, classified staff receive $25 per day but unclassified staff was receiving full compensation because there wasn't a written policy.
The board also determined the definition of retirement as those eligible for KPERS benefits.
The policy will go into effect July 1.
— KASB (Kansas Association of School Boards) was chosen as the worker's compensation insurance carrier for the cooperative even though it was $1,500 more than Case and Son Insurance of Marion.
Concerns were expressed by Cezar that even though the local insurance company was less, the cooperative had seven open claims and the premium could increase significantly the following year.
Board members were concerned if the cooperative could return to KASB if they decided to go with another company for one year and then return to KASB the following year. Officials contacted KASB during the board meeting and were told the cooperative could return to KASB.
The board decided to stay with KASB at a cost of $18,588.
— The professional development committee recommended the board approve the purchase of a web-based program that allows the district to track and approve professional development activities online. A one-time setup fee of $2,500 plus $15 per person annual fees were approved.
— The purchase of eight laptops and five desktop computers was approved for a total of $12,437 from Dell.
USD 408 representative Lyle Leppke asked if the laptops could be ordered with Marion school district. Cezar said Marion is doing a lease-purchase and Dell wouldn't give the cooperative the same deal.
— A stipend of $1,000 was approved for two teachers to implement assisted technology in the classrooms. The funds will cover the development of a database and support of the technology.
— Security Benefit insurance company was designated as the Cafeteria 125 Provider. The company stated that it would no longer provide services if another company providing the same type of services was allowed to sell to staff.
— Extended school year contracts were extended for a total of $12,868.
— The board approved the renewal of paraeducator.net for $616 and ESSDACK (Educational Services and Staff Development Association) dues for $1,750.
Old computers that need to be disposed of will be donated to the OASIS store where OASIS students can purchase items with points they've earned through the program.
— Consultant Kent Stewart had met with superintendents within the county to compile information for a feasibility study of the cooperative's building situation. Stewart will attend the June meeting and present a report.
— The board approved the appointments of Ronda Martin as a speech/language pathologist and Anne Collett as a special education teacher for next year.
— Certified staff resignations and retirements were approved for Judy Picard, Linda Peters, and Jan Glimpse. Classified staff resignations, terminations, and retirements included Carol Dick, Allison Shults, Colleen Weinbrenner, Anne Harvey, Sharon Hubbard, and Sheila Rubel.
The next board meeting will be at noon June 20 in the cooperative board room in Florence.
