The Grundy County R-5 Board of Education approved salary increases at its meeting Wednesday evening.
The base teacher salary was increased by two and three-quarters percent to $30,000 for a beginning teacher. Certified teachers will be able to move on the salary schedule based on experience and continuing education. A two and three-quarters percent salary increase was also approved for non-certified staff members and for extra duty pay. The total cost to the district will be about $34,000.
The board approved several bids including milk from Prairie Farms, bus fuel from MFA for three cents below the pump price, propane from MFA for $1.13 per gallon, and local food items from Galt Hometown Grocery. They were the only bids received.
The board approved the purchase of a 2014 54-passenger school bus from the Meadville R-4 School District for $23,000. The possibility of a coop for bus maintenance with the Princeton R-5 School District was discussed but tabled.
A preliminary budget for next school year was reviewed. The class schedule for seventh through 12th grades was approved.
The board accepted several resignations including those from Speech Therapist Kelly Ott, effective at the end of the current school year, as well as from Tiffany Carver from coaching high school girls softball and Jessica Parsons from coaching junior high and high school track.
Several students were recognized for various accomplishments.
In a closed session, the board voted to hire Steve Wells as varsity boys basketball coach, Jessica Webb as high school cheer sponsor, Tasha Wyant as full-time seventh through 12th-grade math instructor, and Anne McDonald as a part-time speech therapist. Wyant currently works as a part-time math instructor.
