Cumberland School Board Handles Busy Agenda

Cumberland school board members handled a number of items during a busy meeting Thursday night.

No questions were raised during a hearing on a revised budget for the fiscal year. Superintendent John Hasten said the budget was in the black by $45,000.

The Board approved a bidding resolution and articulation agreement with the Carpenters Union as the Union has volunteered to help with instruction in construction skills through the district. The Board also approved the fee list for the coming school year, and approved the school continuous improvement plan after hearing a presentation on the Rising Star progress at the high school.

Board members voted to reduce the number of bus routes by two, and agreed to a new four-year bus lease. It was also decided to purchase 775 Chrome Books for student use for three annual payments of just under $66,000 each.

Cumberland Board members employed Mike Oakley as Bus Supervisor at a salary of $48,000; and approved salary increases for Gail Bierman, Deana Carr and Steve Wheeler equaling the average percentage increase for the faculty for the coming school year. A leave was approved for Madelyn Black retroactive from May 19 to June 6; employed Betsy Ryan at four-fifths time; posted a position as classroom aide in Mrs. Lee's classroom and posted a position for a one-on-one aide for a special education student. It was decided to reduce Tina Booker from three-fifths to two-fifths time, and post for a halftime speech pathology and halftime kindergarten aide. 

The Board also approved the coaching and sponsorship list for the coming year including Kenny Miller as the new varsity baseball coach. Miller recently led St. Anthony to a state championship. Also approved was the custodial schedule for the coming school year; and contracts for the three building principals: Kevin Maynard at the high school, Todd Hall at the middle school and Stacy Keyser at the elementary school.