USD 234 2007-08 budget set at $12 million

The USD 234 Board of Education will operate on a nearly $12 million dollar budget during the 2007-08 school year, according to financial documents provided by school officials.

The capital outlay fund, the fund that provides for repairs, remodelings and purchasing of needed equipment, will be allotted $958,000.

To ensure proper education for children who need to learn English as a second language, the bilingual education fund will be granted $10,000 in operating resources. The driver training program will receive $31,855. An allotment of $940,000 will be set aside for use by the food service department.

The district has budgeted $39,985 for professional development. The summer school programs will be allowed $22,739 in funding. Special education will have $2,328,521 assigned to its fund. The vocational education programs will utilize $457,600 of the district's budget. The four-year-old at-risk program will be granted $68,736, and the at-risk program which services kindergarten through grade 12, will be designated $1,593,095.

During a July 19 board meeting at the USD 234 Board of Education building, 424 S. Main St., the board reviewed the budget as well as several employment-related issues.

The board approved the hiring of a third nurse for the school district. The addition of this position will allow both elementary schools to have a nurse in the building on a full-time basis. The third nurse will serve both the middle school and the high school.

The board also approved the following:

* The resignation of Fred Judy as pertaining to his summer time duties was accepted.

* A leave of absence for Mick Tener, the high school counselor was granted, and the employing of Patty Smilie as a one-year high school counselor was approved.

* The hiring of Jared Martin as a high school paraeducator was approved.

The board also reviewed updated dental and vision insurance plans for USD 234 employees.