Schools save $1.5 million

Saving $1.5 million dollars, School Board members approved selling bonds to the lowest bidder Raymond James & Associates Inc. for 2.3 percent upon the recommendation from Dan Lovelady with First Security Beardsley Public Finance.

“That’s really good,” Lovelady said of the percentage, explaining to board members that it was lower than the project percentage when they first agreed to refinance. He said there will be more than $1 million in savings in the first four years with $1,582,209 saved over the life of the bonds.

Board members also approved a “baseline” $70,000 budget for Athletics for 2013-2014 as presented by athletics director Larry Walker. The budget is based on projected revenues on $20,000 from concessions profit.

“There are two sports in the black that carry all the others,” Walker said, explaining that gate receipts from football and basketball bring in the most.

“I want to be sure we’re comparing apples to apples,” Ann Cato, board member, said, adding that parents of student athletes contribute to their students.

“I think we’re pretty equitable compared to other school districts our size,” Walker said.

School superintendent Rick Neal explained to the board that there had not previously been a line item in the budget for athletics and he wanted to prepare one for the future with the advent of the football field and possible greater numbers from gate receipts.

In other business, in preparation for evaluation of the superintendent, evaluation forms were passed out to the board members in attendance. Darin Wright was absent. In other business, the board: • Recognized Heather Phillips

for earning national certification and agreed to pay her an additional stipend of $3,000;

• Hired Judy Greene for the custodial staff;

• Hired Cameron McNabb, transportation director and lead technician;

• Approved a field trip to Bass Pro for and outdoor educational trip for Dec. 20 with teachers Larry Walker and Perry Mason