Staff writer
With the reality that taxes will be raised to offset the state’s decrease of aid per student setting in, the USD 408 Board of Education approved the budget for the 2010-11 school year.
The district will have a general fund of $4,437,272. Kansas’ state aid per student went down to $4,012 from $4,218 a year ago. Factoring in vocational, at risk, transportation, and special education students USD 408 has a weighted enrollment of 1,106. The district’s actual enrollment is 579 students.
USD 408 will have a local option budget of more than 1 million. The district increased local property taxes less 1.2 mills to 47.58 mills.
The board has a capital outlay budget of $402,929.
“It’s because of the decision of the state to decrease state aid per pupil,” superintendent Lee Leiker said. “That’s why we have to raise our mill rate.”
In other business:
- A new electronic employee time-keeping system has been implemented. Since July 1, USD 408 employees have clocked in using one censored magnetic tag and clocked out using another. Leiker said that the new system will eliminate the laborious task of deciphering employee hand writing on time cards. The system cost $4,000. Leiker estimates hat the district will save that amount in a year.
- Leiker intiated program to recognize district employees and volunteers who go above and beyond their normal duties. This month’s winners were Grant Thierolf for mowing the football stadium all summer, Tod Gordon for clearing weeds around the stadium, Janet Killough and Lisa Johnson for helping to interview English teachers for the position at the high school, Judy Versch and Janice Waner for painting the library, and Kristen Garman for applying for and receiving a $16,000 fruits and vegetables grant for MES.
- The board established a Marion Middle School gates receipt account for MMS athletics. Teams in the Heart of America League charge $2 and $3 admission for children and adults, respectively, for middle school games. Senior citizens passes also will be eliminated.
- The following new statutes were approved: the district will require any use of a district vehicle for a non-school event to be discussed by the board of education; military personnel are entitled to return to USD 408 positions if they left the jobs to serve overseas; and students who wish to drop out of school must meet with MHS guidance counselor Phoebe Janzen where she will give the student information on the estimated lifetime earnings potential of a high school dropout. The district will post all its policies on its website.
- After a 15-minute executive session to discuss personnel, the board hired Lindsay Hett as a teacher’s aide at MES, replacing Tami Williams, who resigned. An assistant wrestling coach position will be split between Lucas King and Andy Hansen, and duties of key club sponsor will be shared by Janice Waner and Mickey Lundy.
- Leiker said two memorials were used to purchase new goal posts at the football stadium.
The next USD 408 Board of Education meeting is 7 p.m. Sept. 13.