Arlee school budget approved
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ARLEE – The Arlee School Board approved a tight budget for the upcoming school year during the regular meeting, so everything will function as usual, but there isn’t much in building reserves.
Superintendent Dave Whitesell explained that building reserves were used for things that might happen during the year like roofing issues or boiler problems. He plans to spread needed repairs — which every school has — out over the next several years to make them affordable. The school’s ceiling might be considered next year.
“Each year, we just keep chipping away,” he said.
This year, Whitesell is taking bids to pave the bumpy side of the parking lot. The school’s gym floor was recently repaired, although he isn’t happy with the work. Whitesell said you can see sawdust under the finish.
“I doubt people would notice it, but it will cause problems,” he said adding that peeling might be a problem.
The board plans to discuss repair options, and how much of the remaining $3,000 to pay contractors, if any, for the work.
The bus depreciation fund has plenty of money. The school purchases a bus every other year. Whitesell said another bus could be purchased if needed.
Handbooks with student expectations were passed by the board. A committee worked on the handbooks back in June, and Whitesell went over the language. He said he removed policy information but retained student expectations to make the handbook student friendly. Varicella was added to the needed immunizations for students to attend school, stated in the handbook, although an exemption can be filed.
Administrators are looking for a Spanish teacher to teach the school’s language class. If one isn’t available, Spanish can be taught online with supervision until a teacher can be found. Football coaches also need to be hired for the year. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the district office.
