The Carmi-White County School Board met Monday night for its regular monthly meeting, along with a public hearing on the FY25 budget. Scott Mareing was there and has this report…
A public hearing was held concerning the amended budget for the Fiscal Year 2025. The eight-minute session began with the swearing in of Brandon Barbre as a new board member. He was appointed at the May 12th meeting to fill the vacated board member position until the next school board election in April 2027.
Superintendent Jarrod Newell then ran down the receipts and expenditures of each department fund. He said total receipts for all funds are projected at $22,122,583 with expenditures of $22,120,754. It results in a positive projected fund change of $1,829. This budget allows them to maintain the programs that are expected while providing dollars for facility upgrades to maintain a positive learning environment for teachers and students.
The public hearing adjourned at 6:08 and the regular meeting began at 6:09 PM.
The board unanimously approved the FY 2025 amended budget.
In the Superintendent’s report, Jarrod Newell said building administrators and office staff are preparing for the next school year. Custodians are cleaning and making repairs to their buildings. Summer school programs are also going on now, and Newell gave an update on the district summer maintenance projects. He said they are making progress and will do more when the weather clears.
The board accepted the recommendation from Bushue Human Resources of Wright Specialty Insurance for the package, accident funds for the worker’s compensation, CFC for the cyber liability, Gerber Life for the blanket student accident and AIG for the catastrophic student accident as presented. This is a renewal of last year’s coverage and there is an 8.1% increase in premiums. The anniversary date for coverage is July 1st.
Approved was a Memorandum of Understanding with the Carmi-White County Support Staff Association for the remainder of the agreement until 2026 to increase the premium by $100 per month paid by the board up to $980 per month effective this July 1st.
The board approved applying for a School Violence Prevention Program grant through the Department of Justice. The grant initiative of up to $150,000 involves a matching grant, requiring the district to contribute 25% of the awarded amount. Among the things the money would be used for are for security updates and putting a fence around the football field, and the funds must be used within a three year period.
And the Consent Agenda was approved, which includes final approval to adoption of 25 board policies as amended; the recognition of board scholars for the second semester of the 2024-25 school year. There are 13 freshmen, 13 sophomores, two juniors and 24 seniors; the Consolidated District Plan that streamlines the grant application and process by allowing school districts to answer one set of planning questions to meet requirements for all 13 grants listed; and the acceptance of $25 in donations to Brownsville School.
The board then went into a closed session at 6:24 PM to discuss personnel and review of closed session minutes and audiotapes.
Following executive session Monday night, the board approved three resignations and made nine hires along with approval of a solitary volunteer.
Brittany McGarrh is resigning from her Washington Attendance Center morning supervisor role effective with the conclusion of this just ended school year, as is Holly Clark who was an Individual Aide at Jefferson. Clinton Wolff also officially resigned his role as Assistant Football Coach so that he can take the helm of the program beginning next season.
Employments approved include Stacy Oliver as a Special Education Aide at Brownsville, Alyssa Mullins and LaChrisha Essary as Elementary Special Education Aides, Hannah Riley as an Elementary teacher, Heather Millhorn as Junior High Secretary, Talsa Cozart as Junior/Senior cook, Devin Rankin as the 6th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, Dale Orr as Morning Crossing Guard at Washington, and Debra Moore as a full time Bus Driver.
Additionally, Greyson Huff was approved as a High School volunteer Volleyball Coach. All those hires and the volunteer position were approved pending background screenings and proper certification.
