Personnel matters and salaries were among highlights addressed by area boards of education during recent meetings.
Laredo R-7
During its meeting on Monday night, the Laredo R-7 Boar of Education approved a salary increase and swore in new board members.
According to information provided by Superintendent Phil Fox, the board agreed to increase the base salary for certified staff by $700. This puts the base pay for a first-year teacher at $27,000. Also approved was the board’s continued payment of 40 percent of the career ladder program even though the state is still not paying anything.
Following an executive session, the board voted to rehire non-certified staff, including Mona Loyd, David Davis, Susan Cooksey, Debbie Riddle, Jenny Moore, Charlie Bowe, Larry Loyd and Cassidy Bethards. The board accepted a contract from Alicia Rojas for speech-language pathology at a rate of $52.50 an hour for up to 10 hours per week. Also accepted was a contract from Melissa Perry for occupational therapy services at a rate of $60 per hour for approximately two to four hours a week, plus mileage.
Brad Wilford and Matt Foster were sworn in for a three-year term on the board. Wilford was elected president of the board while Foster will serve as the vice president. Other officers are Jason Meeker, treasurer; Mona Loyd, secretary; and Jim Marsh, MSBA delegate.
Approval was given to several summer projects, including replacement of windows in the music room, Title I room and cafeteria; installation of a drop ceiling and insulation in the seventh and eighth grade classroom; tuckpointing on the east side of the building along with touch-ups on the west and north side; painting the interior gym walls; and painting the outside of the gym on the north and west sides.
The board agreed to upgrade the district’s bandwidth through MoreNet to 5 megabytes as well as approved dues to MSBA for the 2015-16 school year. Health insurance was reviewed and no action was taken and the board reviewed safety recommendations from its insurance carrier, MUSIC. The board had the first reading of MSBA policy updates and was also told all three buses have passed inspection.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 11 at the school.
Tri-County R-7
The Tri-County R-7 Board of Education took action on several personnel matters and swore-in recently elected members during its meeting on Thursday, April 9.
According to information provided by Superintendent David Probasco, Mike Tipton was offered the high school social studies teaching contract for the 2015-16 school year while Hayley Anderson received an offer to teach fourth grade next year. The board voted to eliminate two high school special education paraprofessional positions and one title paraprofessional position. As a result, Sue Hill, Cathy Rice, Rebecca Smith and Amanda Kilts were not offered “an intent to re-employ” contract for the 2015-16 school year, however, all remaining non-certified employees were offered “an intent to re-employ” contract for next year. It was decided to seek applications for one special education paraprofessional each at the elementary school and high school.
Luke Skinner and Heath Cook were given the oath of office. Cook was elected board president while Skinner was chosen as the vice president. Other officers are Megan DeWitt, secretary and Jeremy Turner, treasurer.
The board reviewed the itinerary and approved the senior class trip to Florida. The first reading of MSBA policy updates was held and the board discussed the budget, but took no action. The board approved the list of students who will be attending the vocational-technical school next year.
The next meeting of the board of education is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at the school.
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