$4.3M Budget Set for 24-25 School Year; Music Program Coming Back
The Council School Board met for their regular meeting on June 18th at 6:00 p.m. at the High School. Board members Henderson, Ryals and Pate were present. This meeting also served as the district’s annual budget hearing.
The board reviewed the budget as presented by Mindy Ivey, the district clerk. After review and discussion, the board approved a total budget of just over $4.3 million for the 2024-2025 school year. This dollar amount includes all sources of revenue from local and state tax dollars to federal tax dollars etc.
Mike Howard presented his last administrative report as superintendent and Royce Bauer presented his summer maintenance projects.
Pat Griffin reviewed vendor contracts and mentioned that he is reducing costs where possible with these. Griffin also stated that the there will be a district wide music program this coming school year.
In unfinished business, the board is still discussing purchase options for a tractor for the district. They have received several quotes and discussed leasing vs. purchase. They tabled this until the boards next meeting.
One greenhouse bid was received to build the already purchased greenhouse. The bid was from McLinn Construction. The bid amount was for $25,560 and was approved by the board. These funds are from a grant that is already received.
A bid for replacing the ceiling in the textiles classroom came in at $11,464.85 from ServPro. This also was approved by the board.
Action on the girls locker room was tabled until the board’s next meeting.
The final teacher contract negotiation changes were approved by the board.
CPM math curriculum was discussed again. Ryals, Henderson and math teachers met recently to discuss this curriculum. Ryals mentioned that he spoke with the CPM representatives as well as large and small districts around the state to learn more about it and to hear what they thought about this curriculum. This curriculum has only been in place with certain classes in the district for one year so far. Ryals, Henderson and Pate had expressed their concerns about this curriculum in recent meetings. The board still have their reservations about the curriculum, but they also feel that they can give it a couple more years to see how test scores change with it in place. The board approved the purchase of this curriculum for the Algebra 2 and Geometry classes with Ryals and Henderson voting in favor and Pate voting against.
The second reading of policy 5320P was tabled until the next meeting. This is the policy that governs drug testing for staff.
Next was discussion of salaries for classified staff positions. Classified staff are essentially all staff that are not teachers. A 6% increase for all classified staff salaries was approved as well as a $5,000 stipend to Mindy Ivey, the district clerk. The stipend is recognition from the board of all the hard work Ivey has done in the last year as the district went through significant staff changes. The 6% raise is also recognition to classified staff of their hard work and the board’s desire to retain good employees longer.
Lastly, Robyn Warner, 6th grade teacher, presented on the Hope Squad, a mental health resource program that she would like to see implemented in the district. Hopesquad.com states that it is an “evidence-based, peer-to-peer suicide prevention program built around the power of connection.” Warner stated that they have a $5,000 grant to cover the cost of purchasing the program materials this first year and isn’t looking for financial backing from the district, just approval to introduce this program. The board approved this request.
