3 positions added to fill gap left by former director, student presents petition on soccer

KHS student Mary Christensen, left, addresses the board about the district's soccer program. Staff photo by George Anderson

In an effort to save the district $40,000 per year, Superintendent Jerry Noble suggested that Fullerton's position be absorbed, with his responsibilities being distributed between three newly established positions -- assistant to the high school principal, assistant to the middle school principal, and athletic director -- to be filled from within the district.

The duties of the assistant to the principal positions include doing all clerical work as the previous athletic director conducted, such as games and scheduling. The new athletic director will be over the entire program, according to Noble.

The new assistants to the principals will be part-time teaching positions and part-time office worker positions.

Board member Linda Kelly expressed concern over the new position, saying that she felt the positions should be added to the Extra Duty list and paid via stipends, as opposed to a salary increase. The salary increase would be an extra $3,500 per year, added to the individual's base salary.

After several minutes of debate, board member Matthew Poole made the motion that the positions be approved and paid via a salary increase, with the amendment that the positions will be up for review with the administrative positions in February.

The board approved the positions, in opposition of Kelly's vote of "no," where she stated, again, that she feels the positions should be paid via stipends.

Also during the meeting, KHS student Mary Christensen addressed the board regarding the school soccer program.

In her address, Christensen presented a petition to the board with more than 60 signatures. The petition was student who intended to play soccer during the next school year, provided that the board hires an experienced soccer coach.

Christensen said she speaks for the students on the petition, noting that they feel the board does not care as much about the soccer program as it does about other sport programs.

Christensen said that she, and the other students involved, want a soccer coach who has experience.

She also said she thinks the coaches who have worked with the program are "amazing coaches" and that she is "proud of them" for what they have attempted to do with the program.

Christensen went on to say that soccer is one of the most renowned sports in the world, even more so than football. She said not only is it a sport that the students play, but it is a sport that keeps families together.

In closing, Christensen said that she loves soccer and does not want to see the program die, adding that it is not just the parents who want to see the program continue, but the students as well.

The board thanked Christensen for her time, adding that it was a good presentation.

Following Christensen's presentation, the board heard an update on the school renovations by Assistant Superintendent Chris Wilson.

Wilson said the renovation at the high school is almost complete, with only a few minor issues left to finalize.

Noble said he would like to set up a time to host an open house for the taxpayers to come in and see what their money has done for the district. An official date was not set.

In other matters, the board:

* Approved the various board reports;

* Authorized Wilson to solicit bids on an "as needed" basis for fuel for transportation vehicles and to award bids for fuel orders to the lowest bidder;

* Authorized the publication of the District Financial Report, following the completion of the annual school audit;

* Approved the submission of various, required end of the year program reports to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education;

* Adopted the present budget as the beginning budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The budget will be amended when salaries and other expenditures are finalized;

* Approved allowing Noble and the district auditor to review the final budget figures and allow for any budget revisions and transfers as needed;

* Authorized Noble as the authorized representative to apply for federal programs and grants;

* Approved increasing the current salary for district treasurer from $14.97 to $15.47 per hour, due to the increase in the work load with the recent implementation of the Health Savings Accounts and Flex Spending Accounts;

* Approved the Gifted, Technology, School Climate, Instructional Effectiveness, Community Education, Title ILA, Title IV, Title V, and Title VLB Program evaluations;

* Approved amendments to Title I and Building/Capital Projects budgets, as presented by Cindy Carroll;

* Approved amendments to the 2008-2009 Reading First budget, as presented by Laurie McAtee;

* Approved amendments to the 2008-2009 Health Services budget, as presented by Deb Cook;

* Approved a new position of Kennett Middle School MAP Facilitator for the 2009-2010 school year, which will be paid from stimulus funding and may only be a two year term, and;

* Approved a position, School-Home Liasion/Social Worker, to be funded through IDEA ARRA funds, with the possibility of employment for two years.

The board closed the meeting by adjourning to executive session. The executive session information was not available at press time.