The Grundy R-5 Board of Education approved salary increases and increased sick days for staff during a meeting held Thursday evening.
According to information provided by Superintendent Rob Deaver, the board held an executive session after which all non-certified staff were re-hired. The votes were all unanimous with the exception of custodian Gene Schreffler, who received “no” votes from Larry Cook and Mike Herrold. The board approved several extra-duty contracts, with others to be considered at the May meeting.
Also during the executive session, the board voted to offer a contract for 7-12 science, with the name of that person to be released upon return of the contract.
In open session, the board members approved the addition of $750 to the base salary for certified teachers, raising the base to $29,000 for the 2016-2017 school year. Teachers will also be allowed to move experience steps and education steps if they qualify. A 3 percent salary increase was approved for non-certified employees. Deaver said administrator salary increases were approved at the February meeting, however no one was available today to provide those salaries to the Republican-Times. The total cost to the district for all the increases in salaries and benefits will be approximately $87,000.
The number of sick days that can be accumulated by an employee was increased from 50 to 60 days and the board agreed to pay non-certified employees for unused days when they leave the district. Certified employees have already been paid for those days.
The board voted to cover the increase in cost for employee health insurance for the 2016-2017 school year. The increase will be 5.7 percent or approximately $26 per month per employee. The total increased cost to the district will be about $12,000.
Board members accepted the resignation of board secretary Melody Shipley, certified election results and gave the oath of office to new board member Danny Berry and returning board member Randy Radcliff. Officers were elected and include Alex Peterson, president; Mike Herrold, vice president; and Larry Cook, treasurer. The secretary will be determined.
The board approved a co-op request from Newtown-Harris High School for high school girls softball and high school boys baseball for the fall season. The approval is contingent on the Newtown-Harris board’s approval.
Board members reviewed banking signatures and program evaluations for the K-12 special education program.
In her report, elementary principal Dr. Anne Billington said year-to-date attendance is 94.6 percent. She also updated the board on various events and activities at the building in Humphreys.
In his report, Secondary Principal Randy Huffman said year-to-date attendance at the building in Galt is 95.49 percent. Sixteen students were recognized for perfect attendance for the third quarter and Avery Webb was recognized for qualifying for State FFA in extemporaneous speaking and for being elected as Area II historian. The students of the quarter for the third quarter were named and Victor Barriga was recognized as Student of the Quarter at Grand River Technical School. Music students were recognized for their performances at district contest and Coach Les Jackson was recognized for his induction into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, which will take place this weekend.
In other business, the board amended the 2015-2016 school calendar to make May 13 an early dismissal and the last day of school, with the high school being dismissed at 11:30 a.m. an the elementary school being dismissed at 11:40 a.m.
Board members reviewed maintenance updates, including roof and gutter repairs. It was noted that the elementary building has also had a water sealant applied to the majority of the outside walls to protect it from weathering. Three lawn mower bids were reviewed, with the board deciding to seek bids for mowing of the high school and elementary campuses. A fund transfer from the General Fund to Capital Projects was also approved.
The board has scheduled a special meeting to be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the high school in Galt, with the next regular meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 10 at the elementary building in Humphreys.
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