Budget, teacher contracts approved at Centre board meeting
Staff writer
Centre board of education approved a proposed budget Monday of almost three mills less than the previous year.
The estimated tax rate of 41.777 includes 20 mills levied for the general fund, 5 mills for capital outlay, and 13.777 mills for local option budget.
The district has no outstanding debt.
A public hearing on the budget will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 in the school library.
Two letters were received from people volunteering to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Clay Simons, but the board postponed taking action until September. Board president Rick Basore said they did not want to act without all board members present. Anita Svoboda was absent.
Sherri Pankratz said later she had sent one of the letters, and Sabrina Shields also had volunteered. Mark Heiser said later the board could opt not to fill the vacancy but probably would do so at some point. Simons represented the Lincolnville area.
The board approved a negotiated teacher contract that includes a prescription drug plan, something not provided before. The contract also provides a 2 percent pay increase across the board.
The board hired James Beeson as bus driver and Stephanie Allen as English teacher. Cindy Wyatt was hired as a teacher consultant one hour a day for six weeks.
Haizea Diego of Spain was approved as a foreign exchange student hosted by the Tony Hett family.
IServe Professional Cleaning CEO Pamela Idleman and facilities manager Richard Idleman led the board on a tour of the main building to view improvements made over the summer, including new carpet and new paint in two classrooms.
The board will have a retreat Aug. 31 to discuss district goals.