August 12, 2003

Board adopts budget, appoints new member

Last night the USD 470 board of education unanimously passed the 2003-2004 budget with little discussion. No public comments or questions were presented during the public hearing on the budget.

The compilation of the district budget recommendation has spanned a six-month planning period, with multiple opportunities for public input, scrutiny and suggestion. As directed by the board, the budget has been assembled and designed upon the requested mill levy amounts, with a final tax rate significantly lower than those originally discussed. The increase to the mill levy is 2.269 mills.

"This budget represents months of discussions by the board and administration," Superintendent Dr. Perry L. Perkins said. "It supports several goals including (1) an emphasis on higher student achievement, (2) preparing the school district for the future, (3) 'catch up' in areas such as textbooks and transportation and (4) sensitivity to the taxpayers of the district.

"Even with this slight increase in the mill levy, USD 470 will continue to have the lowest or next to the lowest mill rate of the 10 school districts larger and the 10 school districts smaller than the Ark City district," he said.

The board also reviewed applications for the board vacancy and then appointed a member. The board voted 4-2 to appoint John Mars to the open seat. His term will expire June 30, 2005. The board thanked all the applicants who indicated an interest in serving on the board.

In other business, the board:

• Accepted the resignations of Tracy Bennett, Head Start teacher; Amy McWhirt, Title I at IXL Elementary; Sherry Coldwell, Title I at Roosevelt Elementary; Angie Ruyle, Title I at Adams Elementary; and Jennifer Webster, Title I at IXL.
• Approved the hiring of Stephanie Barnhill, Reading First coach at Jefferson; Robert Wilson, math teacher at the alternative middle school; Delphia Jennings, Head Start teacher; Brenda Chandler, aide at ACES; Laura Kreidler, Title I at Jefferson Elementary; Christi Lungren, Title I tutor at Adams; Mary Whitley, aide at ACES; Roseann Meier, Title I at IXL; and Joanna Trenary, noon aide at C-4 Elementary.
• Accepted the bid for fuel for both pupil and general transportation needs from Waldeck Oil at 3.9 cents per gallon above the wholesale price.
• Accepted the low bid from Savin Paper of $17.82 per case, for a total of $15,681.60 for 880 cases of white paper for general copying and printing purposes.
• Approved the resolution for issuance of credit cards to personnel.
• Approved the specifications and authorized bidding of two vehicles, one Suburban and one Ford Taurus/Mercury Sable. Bid results will be brought back before the board no later than Oct. 27.
• Approved the submission of the Juvenile Justice Authority Grant to provide a cash match for the Parents as Teachers program in the amount of $35,692.
• Scheduled a special board of education meeting for the purpose of goal-setting, Saturday, Sept. 6, from 8 a.m. to noon, in Room 253 at Arkansas City High School.

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