USD 257 board members reviewed the district’s budget performance over the last three years. The perspective allowed members to realize savings as well as increases in expenditures.
The switch to an outside food service, OPPA, has saved the district $111,052 compared to expenditures last year at this time.
Meanwhile, the cost to provide special education services has gone up almost $100,000 over last year. It is required by law for the district to provide funding to special education through the ANW Cooperative. Jack Koehn, superintendent of schools, suggested sending a letter signed by the board to State Representative Kent Thompson to get help with funding. Special education is a growing need in the district. One in five students is in need of special education services.
During the public forum Iola patron Joe Hess discussed the recent defeat of the school bond issue to build new schools.
Hess, a supporter of new schools, encouraged board members to now take a tack of fixing current schools. He suggested upgrading security at every door. To fix the problem of mold in the basements of many of the buildings he suggested pouring another concrete slab in the basement. At each school parking is an issue. Hess suggested buying the old SEK Multi-County Health Department building to put in a parking lot. He also thought making the elementary schools attendance centers would be best.
In other news:
— The board approved the purchase of 48 Chromebooks and two carts.
— The board hired Chris Weide as the high school assistant girls basketball coach. The board also hired Nick McNaulty as a high school assistant boys basketball coach. Waylon Ingle was hired as a substitute bus driver.
District grapples with special ed funding
