The Dale Board of Education Monday night approved the final 2020- 2021 budget.
Acting School Supt. Ky Wilkins said total estimated revenue is $5,280,551.79. That compares with the 2019- 20 budget that totaled $5,601,469.
This year’s budget exceeds $5 million only for the third time in school history.
Board members adopted a resolution calling for the annual school election for the Board of Education Office No. 1.
Office No. 1 currently is held by Board President Tim Collins.
Collins said after Monday night’s board meeting he will seek a new fiveyear term to the board.
The three-day filing period for the annual school election is scheduled for Dec. 7-9 from 8 to 5 p.m. daily at the Pottawatomie County Election Board 14101 Acme Road in Shawnee.
If three or more candidates file for a seat, the primary will be Feb. 9, 2021. If two file, it will be April 6.
In his superintendent’s report, Wilkins informed the board that Oct. 1 is the date exact enrollment numbers have to be reported to the State Department of Education.
He said there are 383 elementary students, 179 in the middle school and 192 at the high school for a total of 754. “We’re five kids different from last year,” he noted.
Wilkins pointed to the revenue comparison that shows the district’s local money, funds the state cannot touch, is ahead of last year’s through October. This year’s total is $187,644 and through October of a year ago it was $165,232.
He advised the board the current balance in the education sales tax fund account is $125,000, adding, “And I just want it to grow and not use it until it builds up.”
Elementary Principal Bruce Throckmorton reported students attending virtually continue to drop, noting, “And that’s good.”
On the other hand, Assistant High School Principal J.D. Widner advised board members, “Our virtual numbers are going up and that isn’t good. There’s a reason we’re in public education,” he said.
“The numbers change every day. We talked some kids into coming back, but they didn’t show up. I have one kid that is succeeding with virtual,” Widner stressed.
He said teachers have been working hard, but the students wait until Sunday afternoon to call them about their homework and the teachers are not going for that, he indicated.
“They’re not doing their homework,” he continued.
Wilkins also mentioned that this week he was sending out the guidelines for those planning to attend activities held at Dale Public Schools.
Among those are: A person having any COVID-19 symptoms or has had close contact with a positive COVID-19 patient within the past 14 days is to not attend any activities at Dale Public Schools.
All students and employees of Dale Public Schools are required to wear masks while attending activities.
Persons are strongly encouraged to adhere to the 3 W’s including wearing masks, wash frequently and watch social distancing. Masks are required for all persons entering activity venues.