Teacher negotiations continue at Centre
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff reporter
Board of education members of Centre Unified School District got up early Friday morning to meet at 6 a.m. and conduct a wrap-up session at the end of the fiscal year. All were present.
After a 30-minute executive session, which included Superintendent Demitry Evancho and Clerk Peggy Falen, to discuss negotiations with teachers, no action was taken in open session. Negotiations reportedly are continuing.
The board approved employment of classified personnel for the 2002-2003 year with compensation to be determined at a later date.
Office staff members are Peggy Falen, board clerk; Dawn Luna, CHS secretary; and Francie Mueller, secretary to the superintendent and treasurer.
Aides include Gail Burns, Centre Elementary School lunchroom; Janet Rindt, Centre High School library; Sheri Stahlecker, CES computer/-classroom/library; and Rose Ybarra, K-4 teachers' aide.
The custodial staff includes Lawrence Rindt, CES; Ron Mille, CHS head custodian; Mark Pagenkopf, CHS; Jerry Plett, CHS; Rowena Plett, CHS.
Food service staff are Mary Ann Mille, CES head cook; Inge Nordstrom, CHS head cook; Jutta Darwin, CES assistant cook; Delores Svoboda, CHS assistant cook.
The transportation crew includes Roy Houdyshell, director, and Warren Barton, Bill Broce, Elaine Mueller, Donna Southers, Gary Steiner, Kenny Steiner, and Rose Zinn, drivers.
The board approved expenditure of $11,194.97 to upgrade licenses and hardware for the district's computers. Fifty of them were donated and needed licensed Windows 98 programs.
The board authorized transfers from the general fund to other funds, leaving a zero balance in anticipation of a new fiscal year.
Ending cash balances include supplemental general, $9,092.02; capital outlay, $317,925.74; drivers' education, $9,239.25; food service, $39,778.09; in-service, $12,777.84; summer school, $11,876.32; special education, $101.571.98; contingency reserve, $84,458.88; student revolving, $11,172.81; and bond & interest, $100,790.13.
Falen reported an unusual amount of unencumbered cash on hand at the end of June because of the following decreases in expenditures: TEEN, $10,000; technology fund, $10,000; textbooks/supplies, $30,000 plus, heating bills, $27,000; transportation fleet hail damage claim, $20,000; and $10,000 miscellaneous, a total of $107,000.
The board adopted an updated 2002-2003 Centre Elementary School handbook.
Food service changes
The board approved changes and increases in meal prices for meals.
Current New
Breakfast:
K-6th, $0.60 K-4, $0.70
7th-12th, $0.70 5th-12th, $0.85
Adults/guests, $1 $1.25
Lunch:
K-6th, $1.00 K-4th, $1.25
7th-12th, $1.50 5th-12th, $1.75
Adult, $2.50 $2.50
The clerk said the new prices only will affect paying students, not those who receive free or reduced-price meals.
"We have an excellent food service program," Evancho noted. He said the cost is subsidized with general funds.
Prices haven't been raised for several years, he said, and are the lowest in the state at the elementary school and slightly below average at the high school. Staff pay above average prices.
"This increase is not a money-making deal," Evancho said, "but will bring the price in line with costs."
Someone suggested allowing students and staff to pay a little extra to have second servings. Evancho said the meals are "calorie-sufficient," and students shouldn't be encouraged to eat more.
Evancho reported an increase in the hail insurance award from the original $57,000 to $61,275. The original award (for damage at the high school site) was rejected after repairmen recommended replacement, not repair, of some air-conditioning units.
The money will be placed in a separate interest-bearing account and will be drawn out as repairs are made.
Evancho also reported that the roofing subcommittee has determined that proper guttering and drainage should be part of the roof repair at the high school. He said down spouts have caused ice problems in the past. Pipes will be installed to redirect water away from the concrete walkway at the front entrance.
After the meeting was adjourned at 7:19 a.m., board members enjoyed a breakfast prepared by elementary school head cook Mary Ann Mille.
