Special guest speaker, cookout to kick off next school year

During their regular meeting held May 18, the Gallatin R-5 Board of Education approved a calendar change in order to accommodate a guest speaker who will start off the first day of school. The speaker, Ron Gadowski, was not able to make it on Aug. 23, so the first date of school has been changed to Aug. 24.

Mr. Gadowski will present a program to the students during the morning. Students will be let out at 1 p.m. The speaker will then present to the teachers in the afternoon. A program for parents is scheduled for that evening.

“We want a huge turnout with every parent of every child,” said Superintendent Jim Ruse. “The speaker’s program will be about reaching and relating to kids and helping students to get involved in their own lives and future lives.”

A cookout has been tentatively planned for that evening, along with an open house.

In other business at the May 18 meeting, the board approved the extra duty salary schedule. The “stair step” salary coincides with years of experience.

Bills in the amount of $217,302 were approved for payment and the ledger report for year-to-date expenditures was presented. The final ledger report will be given on June 30.

During new business the board approved the purchase of a driver’s education van to be used for the class and also for workshops and other school transportation needs. The smaller vehicle will be more efficient for such uses than a large school bus.

The board heard the district insurance presentation. According to the preliminary report there has been a 23.3% increase overall in insurance which would have resulted in premiums being $420 per month per person. The board reworked the insurance benefits and raised the deductible to $1,000, which resulted in an 8% increase. Premiums will be $368 per premium per month per person with the higher deductible and a few other adjustments.

The board received summer bids for fuel, paint, groceries, etc. The summer program has undergone some minor changes and adjustments due to the school’s declining finances.

Chris Elbert told the board about a new wrestling weight management program mandated by the state. The program seeks to control the amount of weight an athlete can drop while wrestling. The goal is to limit students from dropping too much of the fat percentage for their body weight.

High School Principal Mike Burrell reported on the summer’s driver’s ed program.

Chris Elbert reported that 18 seniors qualified for the A+ program and 13 of those have signed up for the post high school education program next year.

Mrs. Warren reported that the number of students participating in summer school is up from last year, at 185.