Board Summary For March

The Thayer Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday night, March 11th. Present were board members Mr. Franz, Mr. Ward, Ms. Carhart, Mrs. Tucker, Mr. Fink, Mr. Underwood, and Mr. Croney, the building administrators Mr. Justus and Mr. Hedden, Superintendent Rod Priest, and guest Mrs. Steffins.

The board reviewed the financial reports and approved to pay the bills in the amount of $214,868.79.

The board of education reviewed and approved policy changes related to newly enacted legislation. Included were protections for foster children, purchasing requirements, professional staff, staff cell phone usage, staff / student relations, and criminal background tests.

The district’s calendar committee submitted a draft for the 2010-2011 school calendar for consideration. The draft would place the first day of school on August 18th and end the year on May 20th. State law requires schools to be in session at least 174 days and 1044 hours. The board will hear public comment on the proposed calendar before final approval at the April board meeting.

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of the elementary art teacher and heard the building principals’ reports. Mr. Hedden at the high school shared with the board and congratulated students on outstanding achievement in two recent academic competitions. The SCA Math/Science relay team placed 2nd in the SCA missing 1st place by only five points. High individual honor went to Macee Smith, 1st place in Biology II, Macee Smith, 1st place in Anatomy/Physiology, Nick Martin, measurement 2nd place, Austin Henry, Biology I 2nd place, and Miranda Redus, Anatomy/Physiology 2nd place. Mr. Hedden also reported that the Quiz Bowl Team placed 3rd in the SCA conference meet with Kelsey Steed finishing in the top 8 toss up questions to receive SCA all conference.

Attendance for the high school for February was at 94.1% with the year to date attendance at 94.26%. Mr. Justus reported the elementary attendance for February at 93.33% and year to date attendance at 94.21%. The district’s goal for attendance is 95% or greater. Enrollment remains steady with 362 enrolled in the elementary school, 93 in jr. high, and 220 in the high school.

Mr. Priest, superintendent, shared financial information with the board that will help in planning for the budgeting process for the next fiscal year, “As it gets further toward the end of the fiscal year the economic outlook continues to cause concern. The state will withhold 2% of our foundation formula in June. This along with reductions in local tax collections will prevent us from reaching our revenue estimates in our budget. Monday at Jefferson City, I was told that revenues are down 14% for the budget cycle compared to last year. The state built a budget on an estimate growth of 3% so in reality the state is 17% short on an approximate 8 billion dollar budget. The state expects to cut another $500 million out of the budget, somewhere. I don’t think we will miss these cuts and the district could see further reductions before the fiscal year ends. We will continue to monitor spending closely.” Mr. Priest added, “With the reduction in state revenues and local revenues down due to lower than anticipated tax collection rates the district could see a shortfall this year in the range of $113,000 and this could reach $141,000 in the next fiscal year unless expenditures are not significantly reduced. Revenues are very difficult to project twelve months out but we have to use the best information we are given today to begin making plans for next year’s budget.” The state legislature will begin working on next year’s budget when they return from spring break on March 15th.

The board thanked the Rotary Club of Thayer – Mammoth Spring for the donation of $7440.66 from their hard work at the football concession stand. The board also thanked the Bank of Thayer for their donation of $150.00 as part of their Fan Club Incentive program.

Unless school is dismissed due to anymore inclement weather, the last day of school will be May 25th. Graduation is still set for May 22nd.

The next regular meeting will be held on April 8th, 2010 at 7:00pm in the high school library.