There was a full agenda for Monday evening’s meeting of the Princeton R-5 Board of Education, with board members opting to stay in the GRC East Division, increasing the base pay on the certified salary schedule and taking action on multiple personnel items.
According to information provided by Superintendent Jerry Girdner, the board heard from multiple community members during the public participation portion of the meeting. They shared their support to remain an 11-man football program rather than switching to an eight-man program. One community member shared a concern about the possibility his elementary age son would not be able to participate in football if the switch to eight-man was not approved.
Following a presentation by Athletic Director Scott Ussery regarding the current football affiliation, the board voted 6-1 to remain in the GRC East Division and to continue playing 11-man football.
Board members approved an increase in the Certified Staff Salary Schedule for the 2022-23 school year. The new base salary will be $33,500, reflecting a $2,000 increase (6.35 percent) from the previous schedule. Non-certified staff were given a 6.37 percent increase in the base salary, which is now $13.03 per hour. School bus driver pay was also increased to $67 per day and $13.03 per hour for activity trips. That amount is a 6.35 percent increase.
The board continued its discussion of purchasing an electric school bus for the district. A letter of intent for the USDA Grant to fund a portion of such a bus was approved. The district has received four grants to be applied toward the purchase of an electric bus. This month, initial approval for $145,000 from the USDA was approved and last month, the district received initial approval from the DNR for $200,000.
Several important dates were announced, including prom, Saturday, April 30; senior awards and baccalaureate, 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 4 at the First Christian Church; and graduation, 7 p.m., Friday, May 6.
In other business, the board agreed to seek bids for repairs to the exterior brick on the high school, which is showing evidence of movement (shifting, settling and cracking) and deterioration, including in the mortar. The work is scheduled to be completed over the summer. Board members also approved the handbook for the FFA trap shooting program, which is scheduled to begin in the 2022-23 school year. In addition, it was agreed to collect proposals for bank depository services to begin July 1.
Following a closed session, the board announced a 4.6 percent raise was approved for High School Principal Brent Mitchell and a 4.3 percent increase for Girdner. All probationary teachers have been offered contracts for the 2022-23 school year and tenure contracts were approved for Anna Fitzpatrick, Stacy Girdner, Betsy McCulley, Holly Meek and Jessie O’Dell. A contract for junior high/high school teacher was approved for Louis O’Brien for the 2022-23 school year and a 10.5-month contract was approved for the position of special education director.
Resignations were accepted from Heather Hall as National Honor Society and prom sponsor and from junior high/high school teacher Dave McCumber.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 11 at which time the board will be re-organized following the April 5 board election.
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