Stew-Stras Board Discusses Facility Sales Tax

Stewardson-Strasburg school board members and administrators are ready to make another pitch for a facility sales tax that would provide funds for building renovation and construction.

Superintendent Michelle Lindenmeyer said the school board would likely vote in November on whether to put the question on the March 2014 ballot.

The sales tax question would have to be approved by a majority of voters in districts in Shelby County making up more than 50% of the student population in the county to take effect.  This would be the third time the question has been put to a vote in Shelby County.

In addition to generating funding for new construction and for renovation, the revenue from the sales tax could be used to retire existing building bonds.

Board members also agreed to vote in November on whether to apply for a state maintenance grant that would pay for gym soffit work.  The Board agreed to include tuckpointing work to make it a complete project.  The soffit work is projected to cost $63,000.

The Board discussed the ongoing discussions with a contractor for work done on a previous maintenance grant project.  The school district and the contractor have gone to mediation in an attempt to settle the dispute.

In personnel moves, the Stew-Stras Board hired Ashley Dunaway as junior high Special Education teacher, hired Larry Moschenrose as a substitute bus driver, and authorized Lindenmeyer to hire clerical assistance due to a recent resignation on an as-needed basis.