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Contracts approved for USD 235 teachers, staff
USD 235 Board of Education approved the negotiated agreement with the Uniontown Teachers' Association Monday night following a 25-minute executive session.
"There is no increase to the base salary but all teachers will get to move on the salary schedule," Superintendent Randy Rockhold said. "This will result in a $600 increase for each staff member. Supplemental salaries will increase two percent, and we will contribute $96 more per year for insurance."
The new agreement begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2016.
The district's base salary is $33,875 and in consideration of education and experience, salaries range up to $54,175, according to the contract document provided at the meeting. There are also supplemental contracts for coaching and other duties outside the regular classroom. Teachers are contracted for 169 days, the same as in the past, he said.
The board also approved classified staff contracts with no changes.
In addition, the board made a resolution of non-renewal of teacher Eric Miller's contract, with five yes votes and Shawn Wilkinson abstaining. Miller is related to Wilkinson.
The board approved the resignation of Lois Brillhart and thanked her for many years of service to the district.
State Representative Adam Lusker presented a letter of recognition from the legislature to West Bourbon Elementary (WBE) School for receiving the distinction as a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School. Representing the school in accepting the recognition was the WBE Building Leadership Team (BLT): Bonnie Rathbun, Jenny Covey, Teresa Smith and Principal Tracy Smith.
Election results
The $2.5 million USD 235 school bond passed April 7 will pay for new heating and air-conditioning in both Uniontown school campuses and a new roof on the junior/senior high school.
Following the board meeting, Rockhold said he is "waiting for an opportune time to sell the bonds" that were approved.
"We are going to wait as long as we can to pay down the existing bond and also secure a low bond rate," he said. "In statute, there is no limitation length of time that we wait."
Also in the April 7 election there was a contest for USD 235 Board of Education at-large position. Sally Johnson received 196 votes to Terry Nading's 198 votes. After the Bourbon County Commissioners canvassed and considered provisional ballots on Monday, the two were tied at 201. The commissioners will flip a coin or draw the winner Friday during their meeting. The two candidates will have an opportunity to view the tie-breaking process, if they so desire, according Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason in a Tribune report.
Other business
* Smith said testing is one-third complete for state assessments at WBE.
* Smith said there is a need for a building-wide change in core reading programs, but would like the incoming principal, Tyler Jackman, to be in on the final decision, which is a "major expense."
* Kindergarten roundup is April 22 −23. Thirteen new kindergarten students have signed up to date, Smith said.
* WBE roller skating unit continues until April 23.
* WBE Spring Music Program for grades 4th to 6th is April 30.
* District-wide sports physicals are May 6.
* Due to a date conflict, WBE will not be attending the Reading Symposium in Wichita in September.
* WBE has sent three teachers to Kansas Reading Roadmap Tier III training in Wichita and will send an additional three teachers to Lawrence for the same training April 28. The cost is free, except for travel expenses.
* Kansas Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) Day Five training is May 6 in Pittsburg. Tyler Jackman has been invited to attend with the entire BLT membership at WBE.
* Rockhold gave the board a handout on the Kansas budget.
"They have a plan, but revenue is not able to afford it...Next year will be a challenge," he said.
* Rockhold handed the board a 2015-16 proposal of information technology devices which compiled by Sara Jackman, technology coordinator for the district.