Jasper School Board Discusses Finances

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Published on October 24 2014 7:27 am
Last Updated on October 24 2014 7:27 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Jasper school board members Thursday discussed options regarding the issuance of funding bonds to pay back claims against the District. The claims stem from a property tax settlement with Ameren.

Board member Mindy Street said she'd like to see the public being educated on the issue by a team of strategic planning members. Research and more discussion on different strategies and options will be presented at the December board meeting. $300,000 to $500,000 in cuts is an option.

The Board also heard from Anne Noble of Stifel Brokerage and Investment Banking on health/life safety bonds. It was then decided to issue general obligation school bonds to finance needed improvements and to levy to pay off the bonds.

In other financial news, the Board heard the District received a clean audit for the past fiscal year, and heard that Standard and Poor's assigned an "A" or stable long-term rating to the District on its existing debt.

Jasper board members approved Jordan Michels as 5th and 6th grade volleyball coach at Newton Elementary, approved Chris Probst, Lynn Davidson, Lori Dion, Janice Hammer, Marge Kessler, Judy Ochs, Grant White, Heather Brothers and Amanda Stuckey as volunteers at Newton Elementary, and approved the resignation of Cross Country Coach Mike Hartrich as of the end of the current season after more than 30 years' service. Hartrich is to be honored at tonight's Newton Eagles football game.

The Board heard from Gina Fox, who presented this year's book for the Our Community Reads Program, "One for the Murphys". Fox gave each board member a book to read, pass on, respond on the blog, and return for others to enjoy. Also present was Newton Community High School History teacher Ryan Ervin, who informed the Board of the History Club and Art Club wishing to plan an educational trip to the East Coast in April, specifically Philadelphia and New York City.

Jasper board members discussed the options of replacing a vehicle that was totaled in an accident. There will be research into purchasing a late-model, low-mileage vehicle to replace the minivan. Melinda Barthelme was named the Board's delegate to the state school board convention in November, and the Board discussed the junior high basketball program and declared a milk shake machine at the high school surplus property due to new cafeteria guidelines dictating that milk shakes may no longer be served during lunch.