USD?410 Board of Educa?tion decided at its June 8 meeting to eliminate five supplemental positions for the 2015-16 school year.
Those positions include Hillsboro High School assistant volleyball coach, HHS assistant boys? basketball coach, weight room supervisors for fall and winter, and FCCLA sponsor.
The board made its decision based on quantitative data presented by Superin?ten?dent Steve Noble.
In May, Noble initially recommended terminating eight positions. Following board discussion at that meeting, he said he would conduct research to aid in the decision-making process.
At the June meeting, Noble brought a revised recommendation based on attendance in HMS/HHS extracurricular activities over the past two years. He also shared results from surveying principals of league high schools about the number of assistant coaches employed.
?Most (schools) have at least what we have and many have more (coaches),? Noble said.
?Comparing to our league schools is fine, but we need to look at what?s best for us here,? said board member Rod Koons.
Koons also raised whether equity in offerings for boys and girls should be a consideration.
Noble said a review of expenditures revealed dollars in the budget to offset cost-savings initially anticipated with cutting eight positions.
Noble said teachers and personnel were asked to look for ways to save in their areas.
?They?ve gone above and beyond,? Noble said. ?It?s been a lot hard work by everybody.
Eddie Weber, board president, said overall cost savings, when possible, could also be a factor.
?Just because we have the money doesn?t mean we need to spend it,? Weber said.
In its 6-1 vote, the board approved the list of supplemental contracts that included three initially considered for elimination: HMS assistant football coach to be filled by Demetrius Cox; HMS/HHS assistant track coach to be filled by Don Ratzlaff; and HMS/HHS spring weight room supervisor to be filled by Lance Sawyer.
Board member Kim Klein voted no.
Noble said he plans to review attendance in activities again next year as well as conduct a cost analysis per participant and consider possible qualitative benefits for participants.
Teresa Bernhard, district kitchen manager, presented findings from a food service cost analysis she conducted. One consideration for 2015-16, she said, is to add an ? la carte option for high school students.
Noble reported plans to consolidate the offices for the HMHS buildings. All administrative offices would be moved to former HMS office space, which, he said, should help facilitate collaboration.
Renovation can be done under $15,000, he added.
Noble also updated the board on the Safe Routes to School project and the HES playground renovations.
At the meeting, Noble awarded plaques to three board members who conclude their terms of service at the end of June: Deb Geis for 15 years; Eddie Weber for 14 years and Chad Nowak for six years.
Tim Kaufman and Jared Jost will join the board in July. Noble said a person is interested in the open position, and the board can entertain that option in July.
Other business
In other business, the board:
? approved the 2015-16 master contract for USD 410 certified employees after meeting in executive session for 20 minutes. The contract had been ratified by teachers earlier that afternoon.
? approved disposal of the rental property at 508 E. A St., which will be listed with the Real Estate Center and available for sale July 1.
? approved resignation of Tanner Lacy as HES lunch supervisor.
? approved work agreement for hourly wage adjustment from $9 to $9.90 for Jessica Fine as HMHS secretary.
? approved contracts for Jerry Hinerman as business manager and board clerk, Brad Just as technology director and Lori Soo Hoo as coordinator of Parents as Teachers.
? approved health insurance contribution of a $1,000 deductible single-coverage health insurance premium for administrators, PAT coordinator and all qualified classified employees.
? approved Fee Insurance Group from Hutchinson as Workers? Compensation Insurance provider for 2015-16 at a cost of $21,864.
? approved building handbooks for HES and HHS. Noble said he didn?t have the HMS one ready yet, but didn?t anticipate any substantive changes.
? approved purchase of recycled shredded mulch, flextile fabric and tuff timber borders from Athco for the HES west playground at a cost of $43,189, which includes freight.
Noble announced the board will have a special meeting at 11 a.m., Wednes?day, June 24, to decide on property, liability and student insurance.
