Odessa-Montour school board 6/14/12

    Meeting:  The Odessa-Montour school board met Thursday, June 14, for one hour and 15 minutes.
    Attendance:  All board members were present.
    Action:  The board approved changes in the budget to cover $21,680 needed to repair the elevator in the high school.
    • Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Jim Frame, the board approved transferring $172,219.22 from the Employee Benefits Accrued Liability Reserve fund to the Unemployment Reserve fund.  Another $344,438.46 was moved from the EBALR fund to Retirement Contribution Reserve fund.  The school board heard last month that the EBALR fund had too much money in it and some would need to be transferred.
    • Lunch prices at all schools were increased by 10 cents.  Lunch prices for kindergarten to sixth grade will be $1.40 and seventh to 12th will be $1.65.  This is a federally mandated increase.
    • A $200 donation from the Cargill Community Scholarship Program was accepted to support the high school library.  The budget was adjusted as necessary.
    • The board accepted the list of graduation awards and scholarships.
    Discussion without action:  Frame said Odessa-Montour has been identified as a high performing school and is eligible for a grant.  However, he added only five schools will be selected in the end.
    • Teacher Chris Wood presented to the board comparing the athletic programs of area Interscholastic Athletic Conference league schools.
    Appointments/resignations:  The board approved eliminating seven positions (second grade teacher, third grade teacher, fifth grade teacher, librarian, and three special education teachers).  These cuts were passed by district residents in the May budget vote.  The board made cuts to staff based on another year of decreasing state and federal aid, along with a state mandated tax cap limit placed on the district.  One science and one math teacher were each reduced from full time equivalent positions (FTE) to .5 full time equivalents.  The board also increased a library media specialist from a .6 FTE to one FTE.  Frame said staff in the audience voiced concerns about the changes.
    • Elementary Principals Sara Fontana and Christine Williams were approved for tenure.
    • The board thanked Matt Walters, who ends his run as a board member.
    Upcoming meetings:  The next school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 12, at 7 p.m.