|
|
|
|
|
|
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Covering Dallas, Monmouth, Independence, Falls City and surrounding areas since 1868
August 14, 2012
DALLAS -- The Dallas School Board wants a little more information before adding back two more school days in 2012-13.
Board members decided Monday to place the addition of two days to the calendar on its Aug. 27 meeting agenda, which would allow schools to have preliminary enrollment numbers and the state to issue its next revenue forecast.
"It certainly sounds good, but we have two sorts of unknowns that (will be resolved) in the next few weeks," said board member Michael Blanchard.
Superintendent Christy Perry said with registration beginning at the high school next week and elementary schools figuring enrollment numbers as well, the schools will have a better idea if more teachers would be needed by Aug. 27.
If more teachers are needed than are budgeted for, that may impact a decision to add days to the school year.
Waiting much longer to change the calendar, though, would make planning difficult for teachers and the payroll office, as well as for families.
"I would feel better if we did this before the beginning of school," Perry said.
The district is still projecting a $260,000 increase in the 2011-12 ending balance and lower-than-expected transportation costs. That gives the district $337,400 more than when the 2012-13 budget was adopted.
The item will be placed on the Aug. 27 meeting's consent agenda, meaning barring any significant changes to the district's funding situation, it would be approved without further discussion.
If approved, the addition would reduce the number of furlough days in 2012-13 to six. The original budget contained 10. The board already approved adding back two days to the schedule in June.
In other business:
* It won't be finished before football season, but construction on a new concession stand and restroom facility on Dallas High School's athletic fields may begin soon.
Bidding on the project is set to close Tuesday with the board slated to approve a contract the following day.
Perry said all head coaches had a chance to provide input on plans and placement of the building. The facility will be located between the tennis courts and baseball fields behind Gallaspy Stadium.
"We are pretty excited about it," Perry said.
Once the building is complete, the restrooms in the stadium will be closed and the Java Hut stand removed. Java Hut will move into the current concession stand located near the stadium.
ACEBOOK