 As part of the meeting, the board held a brief public hearing on
their intent to sell general obligation bonds. The bonds would be
acquired for the amount of $1,050,000 and used to improve the school
building and facilities of the district. The bonds would be paid for
using the 1 percent sales tax that goes to school districts in the
county.There were no comments from the public, and the board
voted unanimously to proceed with procuring the money.
The meeting was preceded by a brief public hearing on the budgets
that have been put together for LCHS and the LTEC department.
While there was no commentary from the public, Superintendent
Robert Bagby said that if everything goes as planned, fiscal 2014
will end with a surplus of $77,503 in the LTEC budget and a surplus
of $310,160 in the high school's education fund.
Bagby also said that all of the funds will be balanced for the
fiscal year.
On the topic of cafeteria bids, Bagby told the board that it is
getting more difficult to find food vendors willing to work with
schools, due to the extensive government regulations.
"It's getting worse, trying to find people to service schools,"
Bagby said.
After the vote to approve the cafeteria bids, the board voted to
approve the LCHS and LTEC budgets for the new fiscal year. Both
budgets were approved unanimously.
The larger discussion for the night focused on the potential
hiring of a school resource officer, or SRO. The position would put
a Lincoln Police Department officer on the school grounds, with the
intent to provide greater security.
In July, the school board voted 3-2 in favor of proceeding with
the city of Lincoln to contract for the position.
Bagby said that since the July meeting, he has been working with
Chief Kenneth Greenslate to create the contract and a list of duties
for the officer. Bagby also said there are four officers interested
in the position.
"Each person is getting two weeks on campus to interact with
students and staff. … We ultimately interview and bring a name to
the board," said Bagby. "It is the teachers' recommendation and the
administrative recommendation that we proceed to the trial basis."
The position will be paid for through a combined effort of the
city and the school. The city will provide the benefits for the
officer, and the school will pay for their share with tort funds.
Tort funds are used by school districts for risk management.
The officer would be present at the school from 7:30 a.m. until
3:30 p.m. and during some extracurricular activities.
The board voted 4-1 to approve the trial period. The contract is
expected to last for one year, and it can be canceled by either
party if they deem it necessary.
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Jim Mammen, board president, welcomed Missy Koning as the new
assistant principal.
Before the administrative reports were given, Mammen said he
wanted to thank all of the administrators for their efforts in
making sure the school year could start smoothly. Mammen also
thanked them for taking on extra duties this year. Bagby has taken
on some of the duties for LTEC due to the resignation of Bret
Hitchings in July.
Bagby added that all of the administrators and staff have taken
on extra work, and their efforts have really helped.
"In my opinion, that's why this place runs as well as it does. We
have numerous teachers who pick up extra duties, don't complain and
do a great time. So does this administrative team," said Bagby.
Mammen also mentioned that he recently attended a conference in
Oakbrook and was given a list of the 120 unfunded state mandates
that have been put out since 1992. He said the school code handbook
has tripled in size since 1981.
"There were 20 resolutions this year, five of which covered
online charter schools," Mammen said.
Rhonda Hyde, assistant principal, said as part of her report that
so far the attendance count for this school year is 844 students.
Koning added that through a joint effort with the Lincoln Elks, the
district was able to purchase 12 iPads for the school.
At the end of the meeting, Bagby said that the school district
will be losing $145,000 in state aid for this year. He said the
school is losing another $100,000 in special education tuition and
grant money.
"The good news is, you folks (the board) have done a great job
planning in the last couple of years, and we will be balanced, but
it's tougher every year," Bagby said.
Bagby also said that this will be the fourth year in a row that
the district has had a balanced budget.
Present at the meeting were Jim Mammen, board president; Mark
Aughton; Jill Awe; Marianne Krusz; Robert Bagby, LCHS
superintendent; Todd Poelker, principal; Rhonda Hyde, assistant
principal; Sam Knox, activities director; and Missy Koning,
assistant principal.
[By DEREK HURLEY] |
