Dale Board of Education members this week hired several personnel and approved a plan for use of Esser III funds.
The board also approved the 20232024 salary schedule and school principals presented their reports as the new school year began on Wednesday of this week.
Following about a 20-minute executive session, board members returned to open meeting and voted to hire Jeanna Dickinson, for part-time middle school teaching electives; Adjunct teachers Sage Higdon, high school English; Jordan Knutson, elementary school; and Marty Shirey.
They also hired Carla Villarreal and Madison Long as elementary aides.
Elementary Principal Tamee Daniel reported enrollment stands at 350 students and she said last school year ended at 364. She advised board members there are three teachers per grade level this year and there are 2 for Pre-K.
Middle School Principal Kim Powell said Middle School enrollment is 265, with a breakdown of 79 fifth graders, 70 in the sixth grade, 71 in seventh grade and 55 in eighth grade. She reported 19 new move-ins to the district at the middle school level with only six moving out.
High School Principal Erick Muncy informed the board the high school has 38 12th graders, 52 juniors, 60 in the 10th grade and 70 freshmen students. He said 31 have transferred into the high school with only 13 moving out.
Board members approved the plan for use of Esser III funds for the 2023-24 school year after School Supt. Will Jones explained what some of the expenditures would be.
“The big ticket item will be a new school bus,” Jones informed them. “We should get it by December. The bus will eat up about half of those funds,” he predicted.
Among other items are continued security upgrades, Jones said.
They approved the 2023-2024 salary schedule. Jones told the board members it includes the raises approved by the State Legislature in the last session.
They also approved fundraisers and participation in the Alternative Education program with Bethel Public Schools.
During his superintendent’s report, Jones reviewed financial information showing that the Building Fund cash balance in June of this year was $287,348 compared to $141,305 in June of 2022. That’s an increase of $146,043, Jones noted.
The General Fund cash balance in June of this year stood at $547,276, about $64,468 less than the $611,744 balance in June of 2022, he said.
The County sales tax balance was $615,648 in June of this year, $240,443 more than the $375,205 in June of a year ago, he advised board members.
June sales tax check amounted to $29,662.
Jones pointed out those three funds in June of 2023 totaled $1,450,272 compared to $1,128,254 in June of a year ago, an increase of $322,018.
“We’re not rich, we’re not wealthy, but all in all it’s positive,” he related to board members.
He said about $233,704 of the $452,834 in Esser III funds have been spent leaving a remaining balance of $219,130 for the 2023-2024 school year.
Jones also said the new security system is up and running, there is controlled entry to all three buildings and cameras are in place for the secretaries to see who is wanting to come inside before buzzing them in New sound systems are in place at the softball field and the baseball field.
“All buildings are in good shape, maintenance crews and ground crews have done a great job,” Jones added.