Local school boards meet; raises approved

"The Dexter R-IX school district remains sound financially," said Supt. Dr. Ken Jackson following the meeting. "In the tentative budget for 2009-10, the board was able to provide the employees with a modest pay increase because of sufficient fund balances."

In other business, board members approved the district's 2009-10 tentative budget and the annual transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Special Revenue Fund in order to "zero out" the Special Fund, as is done at the conclusion of each school year.

The district's Assessment Plan for the coming school year was also approved by board members, as were the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Core Assurance and Local Compliance Plans for the coming year.

An overview of the district's food service program was presented to the board by that program's director, Kent Polsgrove and the board approved a bid from Interstate Brands Corp. to provide bread products for the coming year. Prairie Farms was approved to provide milk for the district for 2009-10.

A special board meeting will take place Thursday, July 9 for the purpose of covering several issues, primarily having to do with the Bearcat Event Center currently under construction. According to Jackson, the board will be working out schedules pertaining to the center's available hours as well as rental agreements. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 6 p.m. at the school district's administration facility on Brown Pilot Lane.

Bernie Board

In its final meeting of the 2009 fiscal year, Bernie's Board of Education approved the third budget amendment for the 2009-10 school year, with Supt. John Boyd explaining that the deficit to the 2009 school funds would stand at about $49,000. Boyd pointed out to the board that the recent renovation project in the school's cafeteria represented the bulk of the deficit spending.

Board members at last week's monthly meeting also approved the designation of a separate director of maintenance and a director of transportation. The jobs previously fell in the hands of one individual and will now involve two positions. The change, however, will not necessitate the hiring of a second individual at this time, according to Boyd.

Board members accepted a letter of resignation from Christina Humphries. The district is currently taking applications to fill a custodian slot and a custodian/cook's position.

Three positions were filled during executive session of the board. Charity Lukefahr was hired as a third kindergarten instructor due to an unexpected increase in kindergarten enrollment for the coming year. Additionally, Lindsey Baxter and Corey Bennett were hired as paraprofessionals for the 2009-10 school year.