Jamestown C-I Board meetings held during summer months

The Jamestown Board of Education was called together for a special budget meeting June 26, where the final 2013-14 budget was approved and a preliminary 2014-15 budget was presented for approval. In the Superintendent's message about the budgets, the key findings include: the final 2013-14 budget puts the unrestricted ending operating fund balance at 18.33%, a variance of 1.67% from the district's goal of 20.00% The majority of the decrease in fund balances is due to a bus purchase in the amount of $54,790 during the 2013-14 school year. Increased utilities and maintenance costs also contributed to the shortfall. The proposed 2014-15 budget indicates a surplus of $18,394. Three changes account for the majority of the savings:

• Reduction of one certificated staff member.

• Elimination of heating/cooling expense in bus barn and classroom trailer.

• Reduction in teacher/department supply budgets.

At the regular monthly session of the Jamestown Board of Education July 10, facilities planning and a tax levy increase proposal were discussed. A decision was made to have a special meeting July 17, for the purposes of determining how to best accomplish the priority capital facilities needs and future operating fund needs of the district. Tom Pisarkiewicz, CFO of L.J. Hart & Co., was on hand to lead the discussion and answer questions.

At the Aug. 14 Jamestown C-I Board of Education meeting, a detailed list of building priorities with approximate dollar amounts was presented. A resolution was passed which calls for a special election to be held Nov. 4, to authorize an increase in the district's operating tax rate ceiling for the purposes of completing necessary upgrades and improvements. Some time was spent at the meeting discussing optimum avenues for not only disseminating information to the district's patrons, but also answering questions and receiving feedback.

Other business conducted by the Board included the following:

• During the Tax Rate Hearing, a motion to set the 2014-15 tax rate at 3.6502 was approved.

• The Annual Performance Report (APR) of the district was presented. The total points earned of the MSIP 5 Standards were 127 out of 140 points possible, which places the district at 90.7% proficiency, an outstanding outcome.

• Student activities were discussed and the Activity Accounts ledger was reviewed and discussed.

• Food service prices remain the same as last year at the rates of: Adult lunch $2.50, high school student lunch $2, elementary student lunch $1.75, adult breakfast $1.50, student breakfast $1, and extra milk/juice $.35.

• Athletic passes remain the same as last year at $35 per individual and $75 per family.

• Tuition for non-resident students was set at $4,000 for 2014-15.

• Bids approved included Prairie Farms for dairy, Flowers Bakery for bread, and MFA for fuel.

• Substitute teacher pay was increased to $75 per day for the 2014-15 school year.

• A motion was made and approved to designate a loading zone behind the cafeteria leading to the parking lot.

• The resignation of Susan Powell as PAT educator/cook was accepted. The positions of Barbara Hutchison, food service, and Elizabeth Heiland, paraprofessional, were approved.

• Principal Matt McDannold reported on an Active Shooter Training, which was presented by Officer Kevin Morse of the Moniteau County Sheriff's Dept. All staff participated in the training. It included role playing and a simulation.