Budget on school board agenda

The budget for the 2016-17 school year was a primary area of discussion Tuesday, June 23, at the monthly meeting of the California R-I School Board.The board, meeting in the library media room, approved the budget, including $85,000 for 230 Chrome Books for the science classrooms. This is the beginning of a three year program to have one of these electronic devices for each student from grades six to 12. Initially, the plan is to have them available at school. Eventually, it is expected the students will be able to use them in their non-school time.

The board also made plans to build funds for maintenance of the sports facilities into the budget. Superintendent Dwight Sanders said the football field, and baseball/softball field are each under warranty for eight years. It is hoped they will last longer, but they will eventually need to be replaced. The track is coming up on eight years old, and will need some maintenance soon.

Two staff positions have been added for the coming year.

One staffer will be responsible for curriculum alignment and assessment, and will be technology coordinator, including website maintenance. Next year, it is planned for that person to teach a class on technology maintenance.

The new baseball and basketball coach will also teach an elective physical education body conditioning class.

After comparison with other school districts, a raise of about five percent was given approval for the school staff. According to Sanders, the school board wants the district to be able to attract new staff, and keep the old staff, by being as competitive as possible.

The board also discussed the upcoming auction of surplus school district property. The auction will be Saturday, July 18, at the old Riley Field at the Owen Street campus.

The next school board meeting is set for July 15, at the high school media library room.