Smooth Start To School Year With About 140 Students
At the Monday evening regular trustee meeting, Midvale superintendent Kylee Morris reported that despite the absence of the digital bell system for changing classes, the first week of school went very well. The bell system was working all summer, but decided to go down now. It was sent for repairs and will be returned this week. She also reported that there are about 140 total students enrolled, with fewer new students than in previous years. All except four elementary classes have ten or more students.
The school is also looking for a bus driver after one has left for another district. Since Midvale has three vans, one of them can be used on a route with a driver not required to have a CDL with passenger endorsement. One of the vans is being used to carry players to Cambridge for football practice.
The new ag building and shop addition should be finished in a couple months since all the permits have been approved.
The board approved the audit presented by Dan Coleman of Quest CPA. The auditors opinion stated that accounts were in the best shape and internal controls reflected segregation of duties. The end of year balance provides an 8 ½ month operating reserve which he commended. He suggested that the Child Nutrition balance of $33,000 be lowered to $30,000 which the state prefers. This past year money was spent to install stainless steel counters in the kitchen. Regarding the new state facilities funding act, district treasurer Kyla Dickerson suggested that interest on investments is running 7-8% and the expected 10-year lump sum would provide additional revenue if invested.
The ten year plant facility plan was approved and will be sent on to the state. Kylee presented costs estimated locally for maintenance of plumbing, interior, roofing, technology, structural, electrical, HVAC, fire & safety, exterior and specialties. The priorities were arrived at after a survey of trustees and staff. When the survey was sent to the state program, their cost estimates were far above any that the Midvale district figured. Midvale is expecting about $500,000 from the state, to last ten years. That is similar to what the state was sending prior, but was divided up annually.
The board also approved the bus routes, safety busing for students within 1½ miles of school, and advertising for fuel bids.
The next regular meeting of the board will be September 23 at 7:00 p.m..
