USD 234 sets 2010-11 budget

The numbers have been crunched and the USD 234 budget is set for the 2010-11 school year.

During a budget hearing Monday, the USD 234 Board of Education heard information on the proposed district budget, which includes a general fund of about $11.7 million. The budget also includes slightly more than $3 million generated from taxpayers in Bourbon County, a general fund mill levy of 20 mills, and a total district mill levy of 42.7 mills -- numbers that are about the same as figures in last year's budget.

The budget also includes a $2.6 million local option budget, $1 million in spending for the district food service program, $2.2 million in spending for the special education program, $1 million in federal funds, $2.4 million in spending for the K-12 at-risk program, and $1 million for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) Special Retirement Contribution.

USD 234 has lost about $1.2 million in operating funds the last two years due to slight enrollment decreases and a reduction in state aid to $4,012 per student. In May, the board approved more than $780,000 in cutbacks in this year's budget to help the district save money and absorb recent losses in funding.

Other district expenses that have been reduced since last year include purchasing, equipment, funding for trips, transportation and energy. The district also postponed textbook purchases this year.

The board also conducted the following business during their regular meeting Monday:

* Approved a policy concerning use of social networking websites such as MySpace, Twitter and Facebook by district employees, faculty, staff and students.

* Heard a report on the district's petty cash fund.

* Approved a final resolution for the Bourbon County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will be renewed every five years.

* Hired Melanie Lamb as a 4.5-hour paraeducator at Fort Scott Middle School, Diana Stoughton as school nurse at Eugene Ware Elementary School, Brian Baker as custodian at Eugene Ware, Sharon Olivas as secretary at FSMS, Ruth Robinson as bus driver for the Head Start program, Amanda Gonzales as paraeducator at the Fort Scott Preschool Center, Debra Rice as special education teacher at FSMS, Maggie Kolbeck as volleyball coach at FSHS, Ryan Miller as automotive technology instructor at FSHS, and Chasidee Hutchison as ARRA Intervention Specialist at Eugene Ware.

* Approved the transfer of Jill McDonald from 6-hour cook at FSMS to fill the 6-hour cook position at Eugene Ware.

* Approved Alvin Metcalf, Jr. as a football coach and B.J. Pruitt as a boys' basketball coach at FSMS.

* Accepted a resignation from Amber Ellis as a volleyball coach at FSMS, and resignations from Clyde Steppes, a paraeducator, and Julie Leek, a cook at Eugene Ware.

* Approved special education hearing officers for the 2010-11 school year and scheduled a reception for new employees to take place at 5 p.m. Sept. 7.

The board also conducted an executive session to discuss personnel matters for nonelected personnel.