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Unit 10 approves 2009-10 budget  Share
The Red Hill Unit School District approved a $9.2 million budget for the 2009-10 school year during their meeting on Thursday, Sept. 24. ''We're pretty much back to even if we get all of our payments on time this year,'' District Superintendent Matt Seaton said. During the latter part of the 2008-09 school year, the district used some of its reserve money to operate since the state was behind on its payments. The state is still lagging about two weeks on its funding for education. Due to that payment uncertainty, Seaton said, ''we budgeted very conservatively on revenues.'' Prior to approving extracurricular trips for students, extensive discussion revolved around the number of trips scheduled for students in the FFA program. Instructor Gary Ochs explained that the trips are for ''career development'' in order that students may apply classroom study to a real world setting. The board approved three trips at the August meeting. Approval for the remaining 14 trips will be withheld, pending Ochs' submittal of transportation expenses involved, the status of students' grades, the times and dates students miss other classroom time, and other details. Several transportation issues were brought to the board by assistant transportation director/bus mechanic Eric Andrews. A request to begin the bidding process for two new buses was approved by the board. Andrews noted that consideration would be given to trading in buses that may not necessarily be aging, but those showingwear and tear due to odometer miles. He is also going to evaluate the costs between conventional and transit-style buses. Currently, among 12 route buses, there are seven transit buses.
Also, the board approved the purchase of TransFinder software in the amount of $7,500. The TransFinder uses a Global Positioning System in conjunction with new local mapping for the E-911 addressing, to reorganize the routes for time and cost-effective efficiency. The bus routes, number of stops and time on highway will be calculated to determine where changes may be needed. ''We've made small changes already,'' Seaton said. By using the software, he is hopeful that other changes may be made over the Christmas break. The current bus routes were created in 1973.The district will be reimbursed for 80 percent of the cost of the software. Tim Emmons, district maintenance supervisor, reported that new air-conditioning units had been installed at the Sumner Attendance Center. To prepare for the next weather season, the rerouting of steam heat lines is also nearing completion. In addition, he reported that new basketball goal backboards had been put up at BGS. In other business, the board: - voted 5-1 to opt out of a class action suit against Rex Energy. Board member Gary Huber cast the opposing vote. - approved the resignations for purpose of retirement for Jane Harper, Special Education teacher (Sumner) at the end of the 2010-11 school year; Henry J. Ginder, Special Education teacher (RHHS) at the end of 2011-12; Kent Ingrum, district music instructor at the end of 2011-12, and Delores A. Bowser, fourth grade (BGS) at the end of the 2009-10 school year. - approved the employment of Brandy Whitney,BGS Special Education Classroom Aide; Sondra Schafer, Petty Elementary part-time reading teacher; Moan, RHHS softball coach; Mike Wallace, RHHS prom sponsor; Lori Olsen, RHHS junior magazine sales sponsor, and Bob Hobbs, BGS girls basketbal coach. - purchased a bank certificate of deposit in the amount of $500,000. - heard that the East Richland school district was considering leaving the Special Education Co-Op arrangement which includes schools in Lawrence, Crawford, Richland, Clay and Jasper counties. The matter will be considered by the Regional Board of Trustees in December. Barbara E. Allender is editor of the Bridgeport Leader.
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