Cumberland School Board Discusses Finances, Acts on Personnel Moves

Cumberland school board members heard at this month's meeting that the district is doing alright fiscally, but could soon be negatively affected by the lack of a state budget.

Superintendent Todd Butler complimented staff members and building principals for being "resourceful and conservative" with spending over the past fiscal year and as a result stayed under budget in expenditures.

The problem is the State has delayed State Aid categorical payments to all school districts that led to a reduction in budgeted revenue for the fiscal year. Butler said the District is fortunate to be in a sound financing standing, but is in need of a year-long budget in Springfield. Butler said he thinks many districts around the state will be unable to open the doors of their school in August without state funding.

In regular business, the Cumberland board approved the purchase of commercial property and casualty insurance through Prairie State Insurance Cooperative.

The Board also acted on a series of personnel moves. The Board:

--approved the donation of 51 sick leave days for Anne Catey

--accepted the irrevocable letter of retirement from Anne Catey

--hired Jim Talley as head high school baseball coach

--hired Greg Boldt as high school assistant baseball coach

--hired Jessi Bradley as middle school assistant volleyball coach

--hired Korey Zike as assistant wrestling coach

--hired John Hendrix as high school head softball coach

--accepted the resignation of Julia Sappington as assistant Scholar Bowl coach

--accepted the resignation of Whitney Edwards as middle school girls head track coach

--accepted the resignation of Bobbie Chambers as an elementary teacher

--hired Tia Sawyer as an elementary teacher

--posted the positions of middle school girls head track coach and paraprofessional.