B-H BOARD ADOPTS BUDGET, APPROVES TWO TEACHERS

    Beyond the policy adoption agenda item, the Britton-Hecla Board of Education tackled many other issues at Monday’s meeting. A hearing to adopt the preliminary budget as official was held. The state set mill levy was adopted. 
    The general education levy is 1.97 per $1,000 of ag land taxable value, 2.69 per $1,000 for owner-occupied houses and 5.44 per $1,000 of commercial property. The special education levy was set at 1.28 per $1,000 of taxable value for all three classes of property.
In other notable budget matters, the special education levy increased by $100,000 to $750,000. A chunk of that was to cover a new SpEd teacher hired due to the increase in students with high needs. The capital outlay to general fund transfer also increased by $100,000. 
    Handbooks for K-5, 6-12, staff and activities were approved. Audrey Schuller flagged several issues in the different handbooks, including outdated or confusing language and sections that may be missing or unneeded in the books. Superintendent Steve Benson noted that due to the new policies, the handbooks will also be changed. With the new policies now adopted, they will now begin doing over the handbook templates also provided by the KSB firm. 
    In staffing matters, Lisa Dawson was approved as the new special education teacher and Carly Peters as an elementary teacher. Vonnie Zuehlke was approved in food service and Shelby Clarke as a para at a colony school. The board set the substitute bus driver pay as the same rate as the regular driver rate. 
    When discussing bills, the board also noted that they will no longer be paying the city of Britton $12,000 for the use of the Event Center and will instead rent it on a case by case basis. “In the end, we don’t use that facility nearly as much as we thought we would,” said Superintendent Steve Benson.
    Meal prices were approved with increases across the board. Lunch rates will be $2.40 for K-5, $2.85 for 6-12, and $5.00 for adults.  Breakfast prices also increased by .25 for all grades and .50 for adults. A staff member who recently attended a food service meeting had reported that the district was substantially below the recommended meal prices, so incremental increases will likely be forthcoming. 
    In other business, a fuel bid was accepted from Full Circle and bids for colony meals were accepted. Two open enrollments for incoming kindergarten students were approved.
    The next board meeting is tentatively planned for Wednesday, Sept. 11.