by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the April 20 meeting of the Franklin County School Board, Director of Schools Rebecca Sharber asked the board to endorse purchasing Kindle Fire tablets for all rising fourth-grade students to foster summer reading.
On behalf of the school system, Sharber subscribed to a free summer program called My Own. “Students can read e-books throughout the summer at no cost,” Sharber said.
All Franklin County public school students will have access to the program. The program suggests a list of nonfiction and fiction books based on a student’s interests. The student then selects up to 20 books to download onto an e-book reading device such as a Kindle.
Parents of rising fourth-grade students would need to “sign off” for their child to have a Kindle to use during the summer, Sharber said.
“Every candidate for the director of schools position talked about the need to bring up reading scores,” said board member Christine Hopkins.
At the board’s request, Sharber will poll parents to gauge the likely participation level. She estimated that purchasing e-readers for use by rising fourth-grade students would cost $50,000. Sharber said funds left in the 2014–15 budget would cover the cost. If unused, the money will go into the fund balance.
In discussing the draft of the 2015–16 budget, board chair Kevin Caroland expressed concern that expenses exceeded revenue by $1.6 million and would require “dipping into” the fund balance, which is estimated to be $5.84 million at the end of the 2014–15 school year. In 2014–15, the school system withdrew $500,000 from the fund balance. The projected shortfall was $1.8 million, but expenses were less than expected.
Caroland said the revenue-expense shortfall for 2015–16 will likely be even greater when as-yet-undetermined numbers were plugged into the budget. Undetermined expenses include a supplement for coaches and a raise for certified employees matching the percentage of the state supported raise for teachers, estimated at 2 percent.
Sharber said factors costing more in 2015–16 included Internet connection, upgrading Internet servers, technology support materials and supplies, and an increase in the number of dual-enrollment students in mental health facilities.
Assistant Superintendent Linda Foster said the school system will receive about $550,000 from the state, earmarked for teacher salary increases.
“There’s no rhyme or reason to our salary schedule” Foster said. Foster is drafting a revised salary scale with a recommended starting salary for each level (bachelor’s, master’s, and Ed.D.), a standard salary increase each year, and a salary increase for additional training.
Foster will send a draft of the revised schedule to the board for review.
The board voted to approve, with minor revisions, the same school board policies pertaining to students for the 2015–16 school year, with the exception of the policy on corporal punishment which the board will address at the May 4 working session.
The board approved a four-year contract with Amie Lonas who will serve as Director of Schools beginning July 1. The contract set Lonas’ annual salary at $110,000.
“She’s excited and ready to get started,” Caroland said. Lonas will be present at the board’s May 4 working session.
The board also voted to offer Oak Grove School for sale again. Bids are due by May 14.
In a discussion about demolition of the old Franklin County High School field house, board member Hopkins said the field house was “built with donations,” and community members were “sentimental” about the building.
The board will continue the field house discussion at the May 4 working session when maintenance supervisor Bobby Campbell is present to answer questions.
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