Mill levy option is exercised by Peabody-Burns USD
Members of Peabody-Burns USD 398 board of education approved a one mill increase in the mill levy at their Dec. 12 meeting. With all members present, the vote was unanimous to increase the tax at the request of Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission.
Shawna Winter, rec commission president, was present to request the tax increase. The increase will be effective for the 2005-06 school year and thereafter.
The school district has the ability through the local option budget to increase the mill levy to accommodate added expenditures without approval of the voters.
Peabody-Burns Rec Commission serves both district communities and provides extra recreation programs to patrons.
In other business the school board:
— heard from Brian Simmonds regarding the board's lack of willingness to discuss additional senior trips. Simmonds also submitted a letter of resignation from his position as a Peabody-Burns Faculty Association negotiating team member.
— tabled until the January meeting the purchase of a tractor. Bids and information were reviewed, but the board felt it needed more bids for comparison.
— heard a report by Annette Weems on school technology programs used by USD 398.
— heard a preliminary report by Chanele Burke on this year's senior trip. The students requested permission for a trip to San Antonio, Texas, on May 14. The destination was approved with the board requesting final plans (including sponsor names) at the February meeting.
— heard a review by Katie Pankratz of district test results.
— heard about KASB fall convention from members Peggy Phillips, Doe Ann Hague, and Duke Eldridge, and superintendent Tom Alstrom. Alstrom also earned the praise of attending members for a presentation he made at the convention.
— heard information from Eldridge on the new Kansas science standards from the state board of education.
— saw president Doe Ann Hague presented with the KASB Silver Certificate Award.
— heard a review by board president Doe Ann Hague of timeline and procedures for completing Alstrom's evaluation. A special meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 7 in the central office for the superintendent's evaluation and contract offering.
— heard information on school board self-evaluation as presented to delegates at the KASB convention. The issue was tabled for additional information.
— approved emergency substitute certificates for Michael Beach and Preston Newfeld for the 2005-06 school year.
— accepted the resignation of bus driver Stan Penner effective Nov. 23.
— entered an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. On return to open meeting the board voted to approve a school bus driver job opening to Doug Cole for the remainder of the 2005-06 school year.
— entered an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
— entered a third executive session for the purpose of discussing a student. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
