Marion board updated on budget

The USD 408 Board of Educa?tion discussed the impact of Gov. Sam Brownback?s budget plans at its Feb. 14 meeting.

Superintendent Lee Leiker presented information to the board and calculated the effect on the Marion-Florence district. For the current year, it is expected that base state aid per pupil will be reduced by $75, which would result in having $82,500 less in the general fund budget.

Next year, the governor plans to cut an additional $157 in base state aid per pupil, which would mean a $172,000 loss to the budget.

The combination of these cuts is roughly $250,000, Leiker said. These figures do not factor in changes in enrollment.

While the governor?s budget has not yet been ratified, Leiker told the board, ?It?s very likely that this will happen. Congress usually decides these matters late in the legislative session toward the end of April.?

In other business, the board:

? heard from participants in the model United Nations at Marion High School about their recent accomplishments. Christian Czarnowsky, Luke Steele and Nick Meyer read their position papers to the board. The topics included nuclear proliferation and climate change.

? listened to annual report about Parents as Teachers presented by Lori Soo Hoo, program coordinator.

? approved contracts for Katie Rahe as assistant forensics coach, Roger Schroeder as head baseball coach, and Kelly Robson as the baseball assistant coach.

? approved a policy stating that a person is prohibited from using any kind of wireless communication device while driving a school vehicle.

? approved a request from a local youth group to use a bus to go to a Christian music concert in Wichita. The group will reimburse the district for expenses associated with the use of the bus, such as driver and fuel.

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