(Spirit Lake)– The Spirit Lake school board Monday evening approved salaries for non-certified and administrative staff–but the vote wasn’t unanimous. The salaries, for the most part, reflect a five percent increase over present levels.
The vote was four-to-one, with board member Scott Wicks casting the no vote. Wicks says he’s still apprehensive over the budget and wanted to wait on the salaries until they have a better idea as to how things will wind up.
The vote followed an updated by Superintendent Doug Latham who reported that if things stay on track, the district should end the fiscal year in the black when it comes to spending authority. He said it would be the first time in several years the district would have done that.
But Wicks, who says he has faith and confidence in Latham and administrators, is still concerned. He says there are several factors that still could arise that are out of the district’s control.
In other action, the board voted unanimously to transfer the Driver’s Education program out of the district’s curriculum. Under the proposal, the program will be offered through Jerry Hentges, who’s taught the program in the past for the district. Hentges told the board scheduling would probably stay the same, but fees would be higher…mainly due to higher fuel costs.
The board also voted to enter a lease agreement with International for two new buses to help prop up the district’s aging bus fleet. The motion was contingent on International being able to either deliver the two buses by this coming August 26th or two buses the district could use until those on order are received.
