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July 22, 2008


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NEWS

Huntingdon School Board Approves 2008-09 Budget

By Ernie Smothers
smothers@mckenziebanner.com

HUNTINGDON (July 17) During the regular monthly meeting, the Huntingdon Special School District School Board approved the 2008-09 budget.

Addressing the board prior to budget approval, Huntingdon Director of Schools Lynn Twyman said, “The 2008-09 budget is basically the same as last year’s budget. The total budget amount of $7,657, 379 constitutes a three-percent increase over last year’s budget.”

He continued, “Although nearly identical to last year’s budget, the 2008-09 budget includes three larger-expense items that I would like the board to consider for approval. First, I recommend an increase of $50 per-day in pay for non-certified substitute teachers and $55 per-day for certified substitute teachers. That amount will be a little bit more than what would be necessary to raise our pay level above the federal minimum wage for this year. The minimum wage will rise again next year, but this will keep us above the amount currently in place this year.”

He added, “Secondly, I want to recommend a two-percent increase in non-certified insurance benefits and a two-percent increase in certified teacher’s insurance benefits, amounting to an increase of $400 for our certified teachers insurance. With the increase, the school system would pay $1,200 per-year for certified teacher’s insurance which will qualify us for better coverage options.”

Certified staff members were granted a two percent salary increase in the new budget.

He concluded, “In addition, utility rate increases are slated to increase again. In response, our increase to pay for future rate increases is reflected in the 2008-09 budget.”

Huntingdon School Board Vice-Chairman David Gibson queried, “Are you saying that the 2008-09 budget is basically the same as last year?”

Twyman replied, “Other than inclusion of the two new teacher items and the utility increase, it is.”

The board unanimously approved the 2008-09 budget.

Following discussion, the board approved the 2007-08 financial report and retained the audit services of Alexander, Thompson and Arnold (ATA) for the 2008-09 school year at a cost of $9,660.

Prior to approving retaining ATA’s auditing services, Twyman said, “In all, they are charging $7,380 to central and $2,280 to activity for auditing services. Although their rate has increased by twenty-percent from last year, they have informed me that the increase is for one year only.”

He added, “They (ATA) told me that the one-year, twenty-percent rate increase was caused by the state’s adoption of new auditing standards for schools. The new standards are more in-depth and require additional time and effort to prepare. I did some checking, and their rate is in line with what other schools are paying for auditing services”

He continued, “Alexander, Thompson and Arnold have done a good job for our school and I recommend we retain their services for the upcoming year.”

Addressing the board regarding Joint Venture Projects, Twyman said, “Fencing at the primary school and the baseball field is complete. In addition, the dark carpet in the high school library has been removed and replaced with a lighter shade of tile that matches the colors utilized in the school during renovation last year. I can’t believe how much brighter the library looks due to the installation of the new tiles.”

He continued, “The drainage work performed by McCallum and Sons to disperse and eliminate standing water near the middle school building is almost complete. Also, three HVAC units are scheduled to be installed prior to the start of school. These units will replace three units that have been utilized since the 1980s.”

Regarding new construction at Paul Ward Football Stadium, Twyman said, “The blocks are up for the new restrooms and ticket booth located at the stadium entrance and the roof trusses are expected to be delivered tomorrow. The restroom’s plumbing and sewer work is in place and the building is slated to be completed on August 20, two days before the football jamboree on August 22.”

Alderman Tony Tucker said, “I think it would be a good idea to erect an eight to ten-foot gate on each side of the restrooms that will improve exiting from the buildings. I also wish we could provide a pass gate for our quarterback club members so they don’t have to stand in line. The only cost to do this would be a little extra asphalt.”

At the request of board member Mark Dillahunty, the board approved meeting on August 21 to discuss plans regarding potential construction of a building previously-discussed by the board and to swear-in newly-elected aldermen to fill the seats of outgoing board members Tucker and Gibson.

Regarding the potential building, Dillahunty said, “We need to discuss what the building will be utilized for so that construction blueprints can be developed. In addition to housing a new concession stand, we need to discuss whether we want to incorporate storage space or dressing rooms and if adding these items will affect the building’s cosmetic appearance.”

Alderman Gibson added, “The concession stand serving area needs to be spacious enough for concession workers to do their work and large enough to allow people ordering food to have”

Alderman Tucker responded, “I think it would be a good idea for the board to look at some concession stand buildings in McKenzie and Milan that have already been constructed to get ideas on how our building should be built.”

Prior to adjournment, Tucker asked that the board revisit their unanimous decision rejecting the Huntingdon Town Council’s request asking the Huntingdon Special School District to forgo collection of future growth money to aid in acquisition of a ten million bond earmarked to pay for the construction of the Carroll County Lake.

He said, “I am not sure we made the right decision to reject the Huntingdon Town Council’s request in regard to the lake. After the County Commission approved funding for the lake by 17-1 vote, it made me think. The commission is very tight with money and for them to pass the lake vote by near-majority means that they feel strongly about it”.

He continued, “I will admit that I was the person that spoke the most against giving up any school growth money to the lake project at last month’s meeting. But, realistically…we are only looking at a two-mile section of the lake that involves Huntingdon school growth money-nothing else. The debt could be paid off before any growth occurs in the area that would affect us.”

He added, “If the lake project is a success we will benefit more from the collection of sales tax than property tax. I want us as a board to think about this and write questions down that can be answered by the Carroll County Watershed Authority. I don’t want us to be short-sided. If the lake is a bust, we won’t lose anything. If federal or state money is received, the debt could be paid of in six or seven years-not the projected twenty-nine year period.”

He concluded, “I honestly can see our backing the lake project as being more of a help than a hindrance. I also know that our change in stance after unanimously rejecting the Town Council’s request will not be popular with a lot of folks in our community.”

Alderman Dillahunty responded, “Tony, I have heard a lot of ‘don’t knows’ by you and the commissioners regarding aspects involving the lake project. This is a very important matter that may potentially affect our community in regard to the future.”

Tucker responded, “I believe we as a board will be able to help the process along by giving up a little for a chance to gain a lot more. There won’t be enough money given away here in the next five years to cause a tax increase.”

Vice-mayor Gibson replied, “We can’t do anything about this (lake project) tonight. We will need to vote to undo what we have already voted in favor of.”

Tucker responded, “All I ask is that everyone consider the lake project and what has been asked of us so that we can discuss what we need to do at the next meeting.”

In final action, the board approved the following consent agenda:

A. Approve June balance sheets and the minutes from the June 19 meeting.

B. Acknowledge the resignation of Cindy McMinn as primary school educational assistant.

C. Acknowledge the resignation of Michelle Partridge as middle school reading teacher.

D. Approve the following assignments: Latasha Crossett-first grade; Jennifer Lambert-first grade lab; Linda Reeves-second grade lab; Debbie Stallings-third grade lab; Susan Fisher-pre-kindergarten; Daralyn Martin-pre kindergarten; Anissa Swenson-sixth grade math; April Dodd-sixth grade science; Janice Truett-seventh / eighth grade reading; Debbie Stinson-half time high school / middle school special education.

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