Dale Board of Education members hired new personnel this week and were informed that Special Ed enrollment in the district has grown 40 percent in the last five years.
Following a brief executive session, the board members returned to open meeting. The board members voted to hire Paxton Kilby, Special Ed teacher, Stacy Martin, Special Ed and Speech Therapy and Pam Griffin, support staff, paralegal..
Just before they voted, Margaret Mocabee, director of Special Services for the Dale School District, mentioned that Kilby and his wife have two children in Dale schools. Kilby also as previous experience with the Mid-Del School District, Mocabee noted.
The board members also accepted the resignation of Tara Welcher.
In her report, Elementary Principal Tamee said there are 349 students in Pre-K through the fourth grade.
Middle School Principal Kim Powell told board members 285 students are attending in grades 5-8. Reporting for High School Principal Erick Muncey, Powell said 239 students are in grades 9-12.
Powell also gave the annual remediation report showing 17 needed college remediation with three of those in math.
The dropout report showed only four students.
Superintendent Will Jones in his report advised the board that as of Oct. 1, this year enrollment in Dale Schools is 867 students. He said that compares with last year at this time of 824.
In his report, Jones reviewed financial information showing warrants in September of this year were $1,438,945 compared with $1,262,640 in September of 2023 which was up $176,305 from a year ago.
The General Fund cash balance in September of this year stood at $1,316,661 and in September of 2023 it was $242,013, an increase of $1,074,648.
The building fund cash balance for September of 2024 was $390,550 compared to $184,803 in September of 2023, up $205,747 from a year ago.
State Aid as of September of this year was $755,073. As of September of 2023, it stood at $633, 312, up $121,761.
The County Sales Tax balance in September this year was $169,039. That is down from the $382,603 balance in September of 2023 by $233,564. The September revenue from the county sales tax amounted to $29,274.
A County donation fund totals $69,740.
Jones also reported that a gas line project completed at the school is saving money on fuel costs.
In other business, the board members approved updated policies on discrimination and the Emergency Action Plan(Riley’s Rule).
Approved a plan of procurement for child nutrition.
Approved Indian policies and procedures.