The Gallatin R-5 Board of Education learned at their regular meeting held Aug. 16 that enrollment is up, representing an18 year high, with 642 students.
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“It hasn’t been an overnight growth,” said Superintendent James Ruse. “Enrollment has been slowly ebbing up the last three years, fluctuating between 620 and 625 students. Historically we drop a little before we hit spring.”
The tax rate hearing was held. The tax rate was set from 3.7460 to 3.7258 for 07-08, an almost two cents decrease
The budget was amended and showed a positive balance of $17,960 The budget also showed $5,600,000 expenditures.
The board received new MSBA reports for first reading and updated policies for the year based on what passed in the most recent legislative session.
Bus routes were approved. There are still six major bus routes; one vocational route to Chillicothe; and an early childhood special education bus route within the district.
Mr. Ruse notified the board that the school would be hosting Region 2 fall meeting on Sept. 7. The main topic would be collective bargaining.
Leslie Linn was hired as superintendent secretary and board treasurer.
Student and faculty handbooks for high school and elementary were approved.
Bills in the amount of $184,347 were approved for payment.
During the regular meeting held in July, the school purchased a new lawn mower for $11,199. The mower is a zero turn, Ferris model.
The ISS lease was approved.
The budget was amended, as done monthly.
The contract was approved. The district will not pay any higher diesel than $2.71 until January, then not higher than $2.72 until end of year. If the price goes lower, the school gets the lower price.
The cost of the sports pass increased to keep the cost amounts more in line with new gate prices.
Celeste Spangler and Lou Engel were hired as cooks.
At the regular meeting held June 14, the board approved board policies, after a third reading. Teachers presented their professional development plan, which identified and discussed strengths and weaknesses in the district. IDEA part D was approved. These are policies and procedures that the district follows and which the board must be aware of and approve.
The council discussed putting hand rails on bleachers in the gym. Since the meeting, a contract for the hand rails was signed.
The board approved a 1% increase for staff salaries. This is added to the 3% approved earlier. The staff received close to a 4% raise for this year, which was based on final numbers.
Summer bids were approved as follows: Coles – grocery bid; Roberts Dairy – milk; IBC – bread; MFA – propane at $1.45 per gallon.
The board approved the ISS lease and payment.Chris Elbert, assist principal and AD, discussed an increase from $3 to $4 dollars on gate prices. The board agreed, as a conference member school, to mirror prices. Gate prices are $4 for adult; $3 for students. Bills in the amount of $425,839 were approved for payment.