Union Co. employees to get 1.5% pay raise plus step in next year's budget, along with board members' praise; end-of-course results positive
Union County Board of Education met May 29, approving a working budget, bus purchases and hearing the superintendents report, but the best news for the district is that employees will receive a 1.5 percent wage increase during the coming year.
The meeting opened with a number of students begin recognized for their achievements throughout the year.
In her report, Superintendent Patricia Sheffer reported that the end of school went very smoothly and the employee recognition event was very up beat. She thanked the businesses who made donations to the event and the Earle C. Clements Job Corps for providing the entertainment. Sheffer also noted that The school district and the Union County Public Library are working together to provide meals at various locations throughout the county for the summer feed program. Meals will be served June 4 through July 20 with participants receiving three hot and two cold meals per week. She also reported that the district is partnering with Job Corps on a project to help maintain school initiatives.
In his attendance report for the eighth month, Steve Carter reported that attendance was back up to 95.05 percent, two percent better than the previous month when illness kept many students at home.
Holly Keeney provided the student achievement report telling the board that "students did very well" (on state end of course tests) and scores reflect most students scored an A, B or C based on a range provided by the state.
"We are very pleased for our first year end of course assessments," she said.
Keeney also reported that the district recently completed the external audit for program review which counts 20 percent of the overall accountability.
In other business, Tamala Spencer, provided an SBDM report from Uniontown Elementary, the board meeting's host school. Spencer noted, "We hope we successfully completed out assessments. I feel students were focused and worked hard on the tests. We're excited to get the results in the fall."
She added that following the NWEA assessments, many students posted ten point gains or better. She also noted that 90 students at UES had perfect attendance during the last nine weeks of the school year.
David Waggener presented the 2012-13 working budget which reflects a budget of $24,160,492.65. That amount includes $18,706,115 in the general fund as well as monies in capital outlay, FSPK, debt service, food service and daycare funds. The finance office also provided the board with tentative budgets for each of the elementary schools -- those budgets total $408,676.
Waggener also told the board that the tentative budget reflects a 1.5 percent salary increase and rank and step increases for employees. Jim Ricketts noted, "It's (the raise) well deserved. We expect a lot out of our staff and they do a great job." Sheffer added, "Many teachers spend their own money for supplies and resources. We appreciate Mr. Waggener's efforts to be financially frugal. This raise is well deserved. This board is in the right position and we want to make the best decisions for out students and staff in every department." The board approved the working budget and the pay raises.
In an e-mail sent by Sheffer to employees on May 29, the superintendent noted (inpart), "This raise is especially significant during these economic times when many Boards of Education are finding themselves in financial distress and implementing necessary budget cuts. Thanks to good financial stewardship, the Board is capable of and has chosen to support a raise to our employees for next school year." The letter continues, "We're excited to be able to offer this well-deserved raise to our hard-working employees. a lot of hard work and countless hours have gone into improving our district and our employees deserve to be rewarded for the progress our district has made."
Nine consent items including the personnel report, travel report, fund raiser requests and Sturgis Elementary handbook were approved.
Also on the list was a recommendation to accept bids on instructional, library and office supplies as well as transportation fuel. Bids for instructional supplies were awarded to Walmart, School Speciality, Travis School Equipment, Really Good Stuff and K-LOG. Gaylord Bros. and Gumdrop Books were awarded the bid for library supplies, and Business Equipment, Sprint Print and Quill Corp. were awarded the bid for office supplies. Home Oil and Gas will provide transportation fuel for the district.
The board also approved a request to declare a critical shortage regarding substitute teachers. A discussion concerning band instruments was tabled, but the board did agree to purchase three new buses. Carter recommended the purchase "to maintain a top quality fleet and remain in line with state depreciation." Carter also reported that he has received quotes for radios which must be upgraded to meet federal standards by January 1, 2012. He added that the cost is more than the transportation department can handle, noting, "It's not a choice, it's a (federal) mandate." The board approved the request to purchase the needed radios.
Before adjourning, the board approved using Methodist Family Practice for DOT/ CDL and general physicals for employees and okayed a 2012-13 calendar amendment. That amendment calls for school to be in session a full day on April 26, 2013 rather than a half day.