Contracts offered Burrell and Warren at R-5

principal

Contracts were offered to Mike Burrell as high school principal and Kelly Warren as elementary principal during the regular meeting of the Gallatin R-5 Board of Education held Feb. 14.

Superintendent James Ruse went over the preliminary budget. The school will not know exact funding amounts it will receive from the state until much later in the school year.

With current funding proposals, the school expects a $180,000 to $200,000 deficit. Those figures are in keeping with the $160,000 deficit budget built into the school budget over the next eight

years to cover campus upgrades and improvements.

Bills in the amount of $180,161 were approved for payment.

Summer school was set to start on May 29 and end on June 13. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with lunch, sports and other activities also planned. The summer schedule reflects longer hours in the school day, but fewer days of school.

The board listened to a report on investments. The school has three CD’s ranging in interest from 2.33 to 2.4 percent, with $1,850,000 invested of state and tax money. Payroll deductions will drop the investment amount.

The school may be eligible for a wavier of the annual MSIP review if it can maintain the 109 performance points it received at this year’s review. If performance is maintained, the review in 2003-4 will be a brief interview with school administration. If performance is not maintained, MSIP will conduct a two-day review.

The board adopted a teacher application form with minor adjustments.

The board continued discussion on summer projects, including lockers in the girls and boys athletic locker rooms, football restrooms and concession and the softball building. The board hopes to release more specifics regarding the summer projects in the near future.

Mr. Ruse reported on costs that have changed for the next school year: workmen’s comp has increased $12,000 and health insurance is expected to increase $60-70,000.