School board approves budget
The board of education of USD #398 met Aug. 12 at the central office in Peabody with all members present except Gilbert Loewen.
The budget for the 2002-03 school year was presented by Superintendent Tom Alstrom. The 5.5 million dollar budget was unanimously approved.
During the public forum session, Stan Saner of Burns addressed the board with concerns about the district boundary issue. Roger Charles also was present to inform the board of Saturday CPR classes being available during the month of October. He voiced his concerns about the district having only one third grade class this year.
Emergency substitute certificates were issued for the 2002-03 school year to Roger O'Neal, Lorrie Reynolds, Alicia Sheik, Sharon Kelsey, and Marjorie Richardson on a 5-0 vote.
The board also approved the supplemental assignment of assistant football coach to incoming science teacher, Robert Holopirek. The assignment is for the 2002-03 school year.
Tina Partridge was approved to fill a bus driving position.
Superintendent Alstrom reviewed locations suitable for a new greenhouse. After discussion and review, the board directed Alstrom to locate the structure inside the high school bus compound.
Alstrom also reported on a meeting he had with the Peabody Alumni Association. Alstrom said that the district awards committee and the alumni committee will meet together to select recipients for awards from both entities. Currently the groups select scholarship and award winners independent of one another.
A board retreat date was set for 6 p.m. Sept. 4 and the decision was made to include administrative staff at the retreat. Board members and administrators will discuss discipline and the range of administrative responsibility when dealing with discipline off campus.
The board instructed Superintendent Alstrom to look into the process for determining district boundaries. School boards are entitled to re-examine district boundaries periodically. The USD #398 board will look at its boundaries in two years, Alstrom said.
Members discussed the board vacancy left by Carolyn Koehn's resignation in June. On a motion by Anderson, seconded by Doe Ann Hague, the board voted 4-1 to leave the position vacant until the general election in April 2003. Duke Eldridge voted against the motion.
The board voted to approve the release of bus #5 and the district's 1980 GMC pickup.
After the administrators gave their monthly reports, the board went into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. No action was taken when they returned to open meeting and the meeting was adjourned.
