Jasper Board Discusses Budget

Jasper school board members Monday got an update on work to trim the budget.

During the December board meeting, it was shared that the district will need to reduce a budget deficit of at least $1 million by the end of Fiscal Year 2016. A budget advisory committee consisting of teachers and administrators was formed to examine the issues, and the committee has now met three times.

The Board was also informed of the district's strategic plan. The plan was adopted during the spring of 2013. Since that time, work has been progressing toward five goals set forth within the plan. Board members suggested posting the goals that have been met on the district's blog and in the media to let the district's residents know of the progress made.

Board members discussed the contract renewal with Jasper County Boys and Girls Park. Travis Wyatt and Dean Ervin, park representatives, will meet to work out the details and will bring any changes to the Board's February meeting.

In personnel moves, the Jasper board recognized the retirement of Cynthia Benefiel as a bus chaperone as of the end of May, the resignation of Elijah Knepper as a 7th grade girls basketball coach, and the resignation of Emily Flach as Jasper County junior high girls track coach. The Board also hired David Sheppard as a bus driver, and Gloria Litzelman and Amy Tarr as substitute teacher aides, and recognized a Family and Medical Leave for teacher Christina Wise.

Jasper board members learned of an upgrade to the high school and junior high wireless infrastructure. The total cost of the wireless infrastructure hardware is slightly under $15,000 and the district's portion of the cost would be approximately $4,500. The district is under no obligation to purchase any hardware of E-Rate funds sought to finance the upgrade are not received. If the funds are approved, then the Board would have to act on whether to accept them.

The Board also accepted a base fuel bid, and granted Superintendent Dan Cox authority to lock prices in during peak seasons. It was also agreed to contribute toward the purchase with the Newton Police Department of electronic school speed signs in the amount of up to $1,000. The police department has secured a grant to place LED speed signs in front of the schools in Newton; their goal is to place a sign in front of each school. The cost of each sign is $3,200; the department is in need of $1,600 to complete the project.