SIDNEY — The five-year financial forecast for Sidney City Schools was approved Monday night by the Board of Education.
Treasurer Mike Watkins, who had been presenting portions of the forecast over several board meetings, presented the final portion of the forecast — revenue — before the entire report was approved.
“There’s not a lot of growth in five years in the revenue,” said Watkins.
The total revenue forecast for the next five years is estimated at $35,877,570 in 2016; $35,963,141 in 2017; $36,162,422 in 2018; $36,723,738 in 2019; and $34,507,435 in 2020. An additional $15,000 is being forecast from other financing sources for each of the five years.
Expenditures for the same period of time — which includes personnel services (salaries), retirement/insurance benefits, purchased services, supplies and materials and capital outlay — $33,628,784 in 2016; $35,149,359 in 2017; $37,252,471 in 2018; $39,488,557 in 2019; and $41,949,021 in 2020.
An amendment to a policy dealing with the employment of classified staff left one board member voting no against the issue.
Darrell Spangler voiced his displeasure with the amendment which states The board will not employ (but may re-employ) the children, siblings, spouse, parents, in-laws or bona fide dependents of a board member.
“I don’t approve of it,” said Spangler. “It limits the administration to get quality staff members.”
He went on to say it takes a majority of board members to pass a resolution to hire a new staff member and the board member involved can abstain from voting.
The previous language in the board policy stated: “Relatives of board members may be employed by the Board, provided the staff member being employed is not placed in a position in which she/he is supervised directly by the relative staff member.”
“We need to have a consistent policy,” said board member Bob Smith. “I’m not sure the board constantly follows one way or another.”
“This just clarifies the policy,” said board member Paul Heins. “It shows there’s special privilege if you’re a board member. We’re here to serve first. A family member will just have to wait until we’re not on the board.”
Board President Bill Ankney said the matter came up last year when family members were up for a job with the district.
“The policy should be spelled out clearly,” said Ankney.
The motion also included updating the policy dealing with the employment of classified staff stating applications of employment shall be given to the office of the superintendent. It had previously stated assistant superintendent.
Another amendment dealt with the employment of professional staff.
The amendments were approved 4-1 with Spangler voting no.
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In other business, the board:
• Approved a purchased service agreement for reserve officersTrea Honeybutt, Tyler Renner and Cami Frey as school security officer subsitutues for the 2015-16 school year at $15 per hour.
• Accepted the resignation of Hugh Aukerman, food services supervisor/Title 1 coordinator, effective July 31, 2016; and Tara Beard, Sidney High School aide, effective Oct. 15, 2015.
• Employed tim Burden, bus aide, $15.47 per hour, and Tim Elmore, custodian, $14.13 per hour. Both received one-year contracts.
• Hired Andrew Wroda, Mariah Hoge, Kelly Lopuch and Julie Siegel as substitute teachers at $90 per day.
• Hired Claire Frantz, as a substitute aide, $10.61 per hour, and Jael Wethington, substitute cook, $9.41 per hour.
• Hired Jim Roby as winter strength coach, $1,056.
• Amended the pay rate for cooks Jennifer Burns and Amy Schroeder from $10.61 to $10.16 per hour.
The board’s next meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at the board of education office.
