Because of the uncertainty of state funding for the 2002-2003 school year, the Trenton R-9 Board of Education has tabled action on salary requests from teachers and non-certified personnel.
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Because of the uncertainty of state funding for the 2002-2003 school year, the Trenton R-9 Board of Education has tabled action on salary requests from teachers and non-certified personnel.
During a meeting Tuesday night, board members heard proposals from both groups. Superintendent Harry Wheeler told board members that the Legislature has sent a budget to the governor that has a $110 million increase in the state foundation formula, which could mean a possible $79,000 in additional funds for the R-9 School District. However, Wheeler noted that because of the financial situation the state is facing, the foundation formula numbers could change, resulting in no increase or, possibly, a decrease in state monies for next year. Until the budget is signed the governor, final numbers will not be known.
Beth Mack and Tom Powell made the presentation on behalf of the teachers, who proposed three options. Two of the proposals include an increase in the base pay plus an additional step on the salary schedule for teachers who have a master?s degree and 36 hours, which is the top level the schedule has at this time. Option one involves a $500 increase to the base while option two has a $300 increase to the base.
The third option would allow teachers to move one step on the salary schedule, based on years of service and any additional hours a teacher may have accumulated during the past year, as well as add the new step. There would be no increase in the base salary.
The teacher?s group has estimated the district would save approximately $36,000 in salaries based on replacing teachers who are leaving with individuals who will come in with a lower salary. Using that information, the group estimates option one to cost $69,204 while option two would cost $46,994. Option three would cost $19,678.
Martha Provance represented the non-certified staff, which is asking for a 30-cent an hour increase as well as an additional 30-cent per hour increase for those employees who have reached a five-year anniversary of employment with the district. A second request includes allowing all non-certified employees to receive compensation for New Year?s Day and Good Friday, which is currently not the case. The final request seeks waiver of a stipulation that currently doesn?t allow non-certified personnel to take a personal day or sick day prior to a paid holiday, which some non-certified individuals do not receive. Because no holiday pay is received for those days, they are asking they be allowed to take the personal or sick days if so desired.
The non-certified personnel also asked that should funding not be known by the end of the school year, the board go ahead and issue contracts with a stipulation that states that at such time information is available a vote can be taken pursuant to the request for salary increase and contracts be reissued with the changing rate of pay, but not job descriptions.
No dollar amount was affixed to the proposal, which board members said they would like to see before taking any action.
Board President Dr. John Holcomb indicated that should the board have a better handle on the state situation before the next regular board meeting, a special meeting would be called to address the salary requests.
The board took action on several personnel matters, including approval of the hiring of three individuals. Marian Hulett of Trenton will join the language arts department at Trenton High School next year while Megan Allbaugh of Harrisonville will be the new vocal music instructor at the high school, replacing George Brundage. David Burkeybile of Trenton was hired as a custodian/delivery drive to replace Mac Miller, who is retiring.
During tanexecutive session, all spring sports coaches were re-hired, including Ron Hurst, boys golf; Mike Bosley, boys tennis; Rich Johnson, high school boys track; Chris Parks, high school girls track; and Jackie Hoffman, middle school girls track. No middle school boys track coach was hired. Pam Bowden was also approved as the middle school softball and basketball coach.
Resignations approved include those of Mac Miller, who will be leaving June 30, and custodian Bob Rice, who will be leaving Aug. 24.
Dr. Holcomb updated the board on the progress of the sale of the former Adams Middle School building to UTI Network, Inc. He indicated he was frustrated with the length of time being taken to finalize the proposal and asked that all parties involved attend the June board meeting to resolve the matter so that the board ?can move on to other things that have to do with the education of our children.?
The board agreed to allow the R-9 Preschool to move its classes to the former AMS cafeteria, which currently is being used by the Parents as Teachers Program one day a week. Director of Supportive Services Ron Hurst said that some remodeling work will be done, with monies to be used from the district?s capital improvement funds. Although the cost would be more than the $4,300 rent the district pays each year for the current location, Hurst said he believed that in the long run, the move would a financial benefit for the district.
THS Principal Fred Boland discussed plans for high school graduation, which is at 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Ketcham Community Center. He said that seniors have been told that any who are disruptive during the graduation ceremony will not receive their diploma until they have completed 40 hours of community service for the school district. This is being done in an effort to tone down some of the antics that have marked past graduations. In addition, Boland said that diplomas would be presented in reverse alphabetical order, with the Top 10 students receiving their diplomas first, followed by other members of the class.
In other business, the board:
? approved paper product bids, which went to Industrial Maintenance of Trenton, Bond Wholesale of Trenton and Hillyard of St. Joseph.
? agreed to enter into an agreement with AFLAC to allow employees to purchase additional insurance coverage at their own expense.
? approved the summer school schedule at Rissler School and Trenton Middle School, June 3-14 (five days a week, six and one-half hours a day); and the high school, June 3-27 (four days a week, four hours a day).
? recognized the THS Students of the Quarter – Colbi Hanes, Krista Gondringer, Charity Brown and Rachel Arnold.
? heard reports from building principals, including several end of the year activities in which students are involved.