The Trenton R-9 Board of Education approved the salary and budget recommendations for the 2017-2018 school year as presented by Superintendent Dan Wiebers at its meeting Tuesday evening.
The certified staff base salary will increase by $200, and the non-certified salary schedule will increase by 10 cents per hour.
The Salary Committee recommended to add $250 to the certified salary schedule at last month’s school board meeting, but Wiebers said he felt this was not feasible.
The salary schedule for all certified staff is projected to increase by $145,748.57 and the non-certified staff schedule is projected to increase by $57,541.07, for a combined total of $203,289.74.
The schedules include increases in salary, retirement, Medicare, and insurance.
Wiebers estimated the insurance increase would be eight percent for next school year.
He said if the insurance increase is less, then more money will be able to be added to the budget.
The projected revenues for Fund 1 incidentals is $6,051,264, Fund 2 certified teachers is $4,934,785, Fund 3 debt service is $863,294, and Fund 4 capital projects is $12,500, for a total projected revenue of $11,861,843.
The projected expenditures for Fund 1 is $4,364,542 (which includes $1,912,297 for non-certified employees), for Fund 2 is $6,980,672, for Fund 3 is $723,797, and for Fund 4 is $208,500, for a total projected expenditure of $12,227,511.
Wieber said money can be transferred from some of the funds into another, so the deficit is not as big as it appears indicating he based his formulas on those provided by the state.
The Salary Committee’s recommendations for adding $50 to each column to the right of a master’s degree is not supported with the 2017-2018 budget.
Wiebers said the recommendation of adding $500 to summer school teacher salary can be considered in May when summer school contracts are offered.
The recommendation of employees receiving an additional personal day after 15 years of service and another after 20 years were satisfied.
Staff also receive two personal days a year as well as one after five years of service and another after 15 years.
Wiebers said staff can bank the days, and they are good for as long as the staff member works for the district unless used.
He also satisfied the Salary Committee’s recommendation for him to create jobs for the extra-duty salary schedule with supervisors evaluating the positions yearly.
Salary Committee member Suzi Beck said she thought the committee would be happy with the budget for next school year. Beck said the committee wants to make sure to hire and retain good teachers and believes the salary increase will help.
Supportive Services Director Kris Ockenfels presented two bids for the Trenton High School tennis court resurfacing and painting project.
The board approved the base bid from Pro Track and Tennis from Bennington, Nebraska of $24,061 with extras, including cleaning and painting of poles for $500 and new nets for $1,200, bringing the total to $25,761.
Trans Texas Tennis from Hot Springs, Arkansas also bid with a base bid of $24,870 with extras, including new poles for $2,100 and new nets for $1,200, bringing the total to $28,170.
Trenton R-9 will split the cost of the project 50-50 with the Trenton High School Foundation Trust, with both paying $12,880.
Ockenfels said the work will be done between June 1 and August 1.
The board approved updating the 2016-2017 school calendar to change April 18 as makeup Day Number 3 which will be used to make up March 9 when school was dismissed for the state basketball tournament.
The board approved the 2017-2018 tuition rate for students in kindergarten through 12th grade at $6,145.
This school year’s tuition is $6,131 which Wiebers said is for students outside of the district to attend Trenton R-9.
The board also approved a Grundy Electric Company Community Foundation Grant request from Title 1 Teacher Mary Ellen Johnson.
The $391 grant funds would be used purchase Reader’s Theater activities and other reading materials to assist students with fluency, comprehension, reading, and writing skills.
The school district will host the Missouri School Boards’ Association Regional Meeting April 26.
A head count was taken on board members who would like to attend, so they can be properly registered.
Wiebers announced Trenton R-9 will participate in tornado preparedness drills this month.
Board President Kevin Bailey congratulated the Lady Bulldog Basketball team on going to the state tournament.
Trenton Middle School Principal Daniel Gott introduced the Trenton Middle School Students of the Month.
