The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education carried a motion to pay off the school’s 2000 series bond in the amount of $207,422.41 to the UMB Bank during their regular meeting held Thursday, Feb. 16.
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The energy performance bond was to upgrade the elementary building and the ag building with air conditioning, lights, etc. The rest of the money for the same project purchased with a bond from the Department of Natural Resources was also paid off in the amount of $57,702.75.
"The entire project has been paid off three years early," said Superintendent Jim Ruse. "The money the school had been using to make the payments will now be worked into the budget to help take care of costs for next year. The money will be sustained in the budget year after year."
He added that the move was necessary due to the fact the district will receive virtually no money from the state’s new funding formula.
Due to that same lack of state money, the board continued to address deficit spending by considering ideas on budget cuts for the future during executive session.
The board voted to purchase a 2007 Thomas bus for $67,328.83, which should be delivered in August or September. The other bid was for a Bluebird bus at $68,950.
During new business, the board went over a district wellness policy covering issues of nutrition, sugar levels, exercise for children, etc. The board will be reviewing the policy between now and its due date in August of 2006.
Mr. Ruse presented a technology plan prepared by Jeanette Sprague along with an enhancement grant prepared by Rebecca Adkison and Mrs. Sprague. The grant is for a portable computer lab for the FACS classroom and a server for the district. The competitive grant would allow the computer labs to come to the students, thereby placing less demand on the school’s two main labs. Both the technology plan and application for the grant were approved by the board.
Mr. Ruse asked the board to approve a parent-family involvement policy, which encourages parents to become aware of their student’s performance in the classroom.
The board heard principal’s evaluations and extended contracts to Mike Burrell, Chris Elbert and Sheryl Warren.
Mr. Sweatman resigned the boy’s basketball position for 2006-2007.
Bills in the amount of $462,669.25 were approved for payment.
Gallatin R-5 is on the web at gallatin.k12.mo.us.
The board voted to join the Missouri Association of Rural Educators (MARE) for a fee of $200. MARE will give the board access to another set of policies and procedures if they request them.
Next meeting of the school board is March 16.