$2.2M District Budget Expected
On June 17, 2024, the monthly school board meeting was held at the high school commons at 6:30 p.m. After the unanimous vote to accept the previous meeting minutes, the current agenda, financial reports, and accounts payable, board members heard a presentation from school superintendent Mr. Butler on the 2024-2025 budget. The supplemental levy passed, and with this, they expect a budget of $2,260,493 for the year. Mr. Butler explained they do expect to spend it all while being fiscally responsible and saving what they can. He went over what the past year’s budget looked like and what they are planning for this year, including but not limited to, the general fund, transportation, support services, salaries, athletics, etc.
House Bill 521 was discussed and although they don’t know when it will be received, this will be a part of their plant facility budget. The 10-year plant facility plan was opened to discuss new ideas such as new bathrooms in the gym, redoing the elementary parking lot, reader board, dividers for the boy’s elementary bathroom, and LED lighting. However, nothing has been officially decided upon as of yet.
New business items included the discussion of a new safety and security plan. They only received one bid from the M2 Automation Design Team coming in at around $320,000. While the bid seems accurate for the field in general, this would leave them over budget, except for an anonymous donor who graciously donated money to the security plan which will generously cover the cost of the security plan. This new system will be able to integrate with local police stations and provide faster service in the case of an emergency. Mr. Butler is hoping to have the new security system installed before the new school year starts. A motion for the bid on the new security plan was approved.
Elementary school principal, Mrs. Vowel, informed board members of the PTSA having met their goal of raising $50,000 for new playground equipment for the elementary school. Plans are underway and Mrs. Vowel hopes to have it ready for the new school year. The meeting came to an end after the discussion of the personnel item of the reduction of summer hours for the staff and the motion was approved.
