Educators and board members alike may be feeling blue in the face after talking so heavily about the education budget this last month. The dust in Topeka has settled, and USD 383 Board of Education members are awaiting the delivery of computer software that will allow them to write the budget for the upcoming school year. Board members expressed concern, noting the latest they have ever approved a budget has been July 1st.
It looks like they will set a new record. Board members were told to pencil in June 29th as a possible emergency meeting date for budgeting. Some members will be attending a workshop in Salina in mid-July to learn how to utilize the new software, and to learn about the ins-and-outs of recently passed legislation.
Associate Superintendent Bob Seymour said farewell to the Board of Education after over 10 years of service. Members said Seymour has been a positive influence. Seymour will be volunteering in the fall to work on an unnamed project for the district.
Larry Doll, Human Resources, informed the district about ongoing negotiations on health insurance for district employees. He is currently communicating with two different providers, and hopes to have a plan for the 270 new employees entering the district this year.
The board approved a bid to Midwest Transportation of Nixon, Mo. for a new bus for the Head Start program. The bus will cost around $100,000 and will be purchased with federal money. Doug Messer, Transportation Director, said the bus is highly specialized. It will seat 65 children in booster seats that meet federal regulation. The board also approved bids to K-COM for a new radio repeater, and to Cheney Construction for improvements to the transportation fuel containment facility.
The board will meet again on July 1st at 6:30 p.m.
