Several items pertaining to the middle school project were discussed last week by the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Board of Education.
The board discussed installing diagonal parking spaces in the west parking lot with no islands. The board authorized Facilities Cost Management officials to work with engineers to resolve water runoff and retention issues. The administrators were authorized to complete selection of colors for the middle school building.
Potential purchases of items from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 were discussed. Superintendent Brad Buller said that the funds will come in two payments. School officials will receive $37,802, which can only be used for Title I purchases. School officials will also receive $178,880, which will be paid out over two years. Those funds can only be spent on the special education program, Buller said.
School officials will seek bids for a 24-passenger handicapped accessible bus. That will include access for three wheelchairs. Bids will also be sought for a seven-passenger minivan to be used for special education purposes. Buller said other potential first-year purchases were discussed. Those included sound systems for use in classrooms with hearing impaired persons.
Lori Berner was employed as a kindergarten teacher for the 2009-10 school year. There will be an additional section of kindergarten.
Erin Poe, band director, presented information on a proposed March 2010 band trip to Chicago. The trip was approved.
First reading was held on policies regarding speaking at board meetings, bullying and special education. Second readings will be in June.
Buller was appointed authorized representative for federal programs for the 2009-10 school year.
The negotiated agreement with the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Education Association was approved. Base salary for 2009-10 will be $29,725, an increase over 2008-09. Increases were also approved for the classified staff.
Syracuse, Neb. —
