Beecher City Board Finalizes Pay for Non-Certified Staff, Principals

Beecher City school board members Monday approved pay increases for non-certified staff members for the coming year, as well as pay hikes for building principals.

Superintendent Scott Cameron said the Board decided since teachers are due a 2% increase, the same raise would be given support staffers. Cameron said the hike averages out to about 30 cents an hour for support staff workers.

The Board also granted 2% pay hikes to high school principal Phil Lark and grade school principal Rosa Milleville.

Two retirements were approved, one from Special Education teacher Donetta Martin at the end of the school year, the other from longtime Unit Secretary Geneva Hubbartt. Hubbartt's retirement is effective June 30. She has worked for the Beecher City district for 38 years, and Cameron said she will be sorely missed.

Also this week, the Beecher City board approved the purchase of sports equipment and uniforms. Beecher City's sports teams will all be consolidated with Cowden-Herrick schools next year, with new colors and a new nickname, the Bobcats. Each district is paying for the uniforms their district sponsors.

Two students were approved to attend the National Future Business Leaders Conference. Joanna Neu and Angel Haslett each qualified to attend the conference, to be held this year in Atlanta. It was also agreed to offer student insurance through Markel Insurance Company, with the families paying for the coverage if they want it. It was also decided to raise sports officials pay by $5/event for the coming school year.

As to the future, Cameron said he and the Board discussed their situation at this week's meeting. He said that, even if the State doesn't come up with funding, the district will open its doors for school this fall. He said the district has developed reserves sufficient to carry them for the next several months. He said the governor's proposed K-12 budget would cost the district $90,000, so they plan to oppose the proposal.

Cameron also reminded that high school graduation will be different this year; it will be held on Saturday, May 14 at 2pm. Beecher City will not have an 8th grade promotion ceremony this year.