Centre district projects $44,000 loss in spending authority years ago
LOB likely to rise
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff reporter
With a projected 11.4 decrease in full-time equivalency enrollment for the 2004-2005 school year, Centre Unified School District #397 may experience a $44,038.20 loss of general fund budget authority.
That is the news clerk Peggy Falen presented to the board of education at the March 8 meeting. She arrived at the figure by multiplying 11.4 by $3,863, the current amount per person the state aids school districts.
These preliminary figures will change if the state legislature increases aid to schools.
According to the report, in spite of the loss in budget authority, the district's general fund will experience a net savings of $10,328.69 as a result of going to one administrator.
Increased costs include $5,684.35 in natural salary schedule and insurance premiums plus $86,200 for the new superintendent's salary and fixed charges.
Savings include $143,436.24 in current superintendent and high school principal salaries and approximately $2,815 in insurance premiums for one administrator.
Falen said only 15.03 mills of local funding (LOB) were needed in the 2003-2004 year. She said unless the board opts to make cuts in spending, there could be an increase of almost 7.5 mills in the LOB for the next school year.
In addition to state aid, school boards are allowed by law to raise an amount locally not to exceed 25 percent of the general fund spending authority. With decreasing enrollment resulting in decreasing state aid, the LOB authority also decreases, Falen explained.
The board discussed safety concerns regarding the district-owned house. It is vacant now but will be occupied by the incoming superintendent.
Evancho presented a summary of safety codes required within Marion city limits, as submitted by David Brazil. Jesse Brunner also presented information he had obtained independently.
At least two members stressed the need for an egress window in the basement to allow for quick exit. Others felt it was not necessary at this time.
Clark Davis made a motion to provide the house with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, three fire extinguishers, and an egress window, with three bids to be taken for the window.
The motion was defeated on a 3-3 vote, with Clark Davis, Jesse Brunner, and Mark Heiser in favor, Jennifer Kassebaum, Julie Klenda, and Leona Hajek opposed.
"I want my name recorded as having voted in favor of an egress window in case of a catastrophe," Davis declared.
Discussion continued as Superintendent Demitry Evancho noted the house doesn't have a grounded electrical system. He said the old service may not be big enough to handle more demand. He also said pooling water in the basement is a problem.
Everyone agreed that more investigation is needed to get an over-all picture of what needs to be done.
Davis made a motion authorizing Evancho to contact several electrical contractors and invite them to inspect the house and report back. It passed unanimously.
Davis then made a motion to supply the house with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and three fire extinguishers, and to get three bids on an egress window. Kassebaum seconded the motion which passed, 6-0.
The board approved a house lease agreement with Robert Kiblinger, who will take over as district administrator on July 1. He will pay $25 per month, as well as utilities.
Athletic director Bud Peterson reported that 31 students have signed up to participate in track — seven seniors, five juniors, nine sophomores, and 10 freshmen, including 17 boys and 14 girls.
"We're happy about the large number," he said, "but we'll need an additional assistant coach."
He said three students have signed up for pole vault and will need to be taken to Marion facilities for practice. He praised Marion High School personnel.
"It's been so easy to work with them," he said. "They have a good pole vault coach." They also share equipment.
The board authorized employment of two assistant track coaches, Alan Stahlecker and Matt Self, at a cost of $1,933 per coach. Peterson and Marc Grout are co-head coaches.
The board spent one hour and 15 minutes in executive session with Principal Neal Weltha and Evancho to discuss matters pertaining to non-elected personnel. No action was taken after returning to open session.
Forty minutes were spent in executive session with Evancho and Falen to discuss employer-employee negotiations.
The board approved a district health plan with Kansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield, authorizing an option with 50-50 shared pay including doctor office visits. Bus drivers Elaine Mueller and Rose Zinn were assured they will qualify to participate.
Monthly premium rates will be $266 for single, $436.55 for employee/children, $485.04 for employee/spouse, and $695.59 for family coverage.
In other actions, the board:
— extended family and medical leave for Tambra Owens for an additional five weeks through April 2.
n approved a list of summer maintenance projects as presented by the administration and custodians. Action on a plan to level, slope, seed, and irrigate the east play yard at the elementary school to restore the grass, at a cost of $9,630, was tabled until the April meeting.
n authorized a field trip to Exploration Place in Wichita by fourth and fifth grade students enrolled in the Extended Learning Program (ELP). They will travel with students from other Marion County schools.
n approved trade or sale of a Suburban. Another Suburban the board voted to sell at the Jan. 12 meeting will be retained at the recommendation of the transportation director.
n accepted the resignation of DaLinda Salada as assistant cook at Centre Elementary School.
n accepted the resignation of Neal Weltha as 5-12 principal effective June 30. He has served the district six years.
Evancho submitted a draft of the 2004-2005 school calendar. The first day of classes is slated for Aug. 19, the last day May 26.
Weltha reported that Galen Peterson of Burdick will be the guest speaker at the 2004 commencement ceremony.
President Hajek announced a dinner will be held March 23 or 27 for administration team employees and board members who served with retired board members, Ronnie Carlson and Steve Jirak.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:52 p.m.
