The Dale Board of Education has approved its 2020-2021 estimate of needs and members were advised enrollment is down a little from a year ago.
Acting School Supt. Ky Wilkins told the board the estimate of needs totals close to $5.2 million, about the same as last year. He said the fund balance was down a little from a year ago.
Wilkins reported to the board that enrollment totals 748.
That includes 379 elementary, 178 in the Middle School and 198 in high school. Assistant Secondary School Principal J.D. Widner said the 178 is up by a couple and the 198 is down from 191 last year at this time.
But Wilkins pointed out the fact on total numbers that, “We have only two Pre-K classes this year, not three like a year ago.”
Wilkins said 46 are attending virtually and “We lost nine to EPIC. No one has tested positive for COVID and parents have done a great job of communicating with us.”
Widner added, “100 percent of the time the temperatures of students have been taken entering the buildings and there is no one who has tested over 99.8. The mask thing has been unbelievably good,”
He advised the board, noting, “kids are doing a really good job and the teachers are doing a good job of staying on top of it.”
Following about a 30-minute executive session, the board hired Ben Parker, Jennifer McCoy and Rachel Verdugo as Elementary teacher aides.
They also hired Charlie Dickinson as superintendent of record. Dickinson retired June 30 as superintendent, but is in place as Wilkins, the Acting Superintendent, should need him.
Board members also approved the negotiated teachers contract. Wilkins ex plained there was nothing new except teachers with more than 25 years will received a $400 stipend which has been done in the past.
In other business, the board:
Approved a contract with Stephen L. Smith, Corp. for 2020-2021 as financial advisor.
Approved academic credits with Gordon Cooper Technology Center. Wilkins explained these are math and English credits to allow sophomores to attend GCTC for the pre-engineering program.
Agreed to allow a fundraiser for the cheerleaders.
Wilkins informed the board that the USDA had just announced that all students can eat breakfast and lunch free through December. This includes traditional and those attending virtually who want to come to the school and pick up those meals.
“This will be a good thing for us,” said Wilkins.
It was mentioned that about 60 percent of Dale’s students qualify for free or reduced meals. But this allows all the students to eat free, Wilkins said.
During his superintendent’s report, Wilkins said of the current school term, “We are taking it day by day. We are in constant communication with the health department and they are overwhelmed,” he added, referring to COVID-19.
He told board members there is quite a bit of sickness going around, pointing to strep throat and other illnesses.
“But we are staying on top of it,” he assured the board.
He mentioned some bus routes have been changed where there are about 30 kids on a bus at the most. They have assigned seats and they are wearing masks.
Local revenue through August this year is slightly up over a year ago at this time, Wilkins noted.
The local revenue totals $101,464 compared to $93,879 a year ago, he said.