State cuts have Red Bud schools reviewing budget
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Red Bud District 132's income is comprised of local taxes (84 percent), state aide (11 percent), and federal aide (5 percent). Superintendent Steve Harsy last Thursday reported to the District 132 Board of Education that state funding for education will be cut by 17 percent.
A 15 percent reduction in General State Aide would result in a loss of over $70,000, Harsy said. A 25 percent reduction in mandated categoricals would result in a loss of more than $75,000 in the Education Fund and more than $90,000 in the Transportation Fund.
The administration has started identifying cost saving measures, Harsy said, to offset the loss in revenue. All areas of the budget will be reviewed and refined to help save costs.
Randy Battas suggested a number of summer projects. He is requesting bids on the air conditioning project, replacement windows, and the walk-in freezer. The old air conditioner units will be given to a private school in East St. Louis. The Board will consider approval of the summer projects at the April meeting.
The Board approved the final calendar for the 2009-2010 school year. The last day of school will be May 24th with one hour early dismissal, Teacher's Institute May 25th, and Report Card Day May 26th.
The Board approved the recommendations from Todd Jones of Mevert Professional Associates for contractual work on Health, Life Safety projects to begin this summer.
Contracts were awarded to to Nevois Construction for general work with a total bid of $46,763.00 and Geissler Roofing Company, Inc. for roofing work with a total bid of $429,645.
The board was informed that Red Bud High School received the Illinois State Board of Education's Academic Improvement Award for Exemplary Gains in Performance on the Illinois Learning Standards.
Sarah Imhoff, high school principal, proposed creation of a new general mathematics class in which one regular math teacher and one special education teacher will teach the class together. This allows special education students an opportunity to participate in somewhat of a regular class setting.
Imhoff told the board that Dave Lucht, RBHS head football coach has been named the Southern Illinois Football Coach of the Year.
Three overnight high school field trips were approved by the board as follows: Future Business Leaders of America State Convention - Decatur; Math Team - University of Illinois, Champaign; Student Council/Science Club - St. Louis Zoo.
In other business:
Beth Johnson distributed documentation and spoke regarding the 8th grade EXPLORE test 2010 results. The score report will show a student's composite score, his/her percentage rating in the school, the district, and the state, and additional information.
A handout was distributed to the board with the results from the 2010 parent survey. The survey went out to parents for them to voice their concerns regarding issues in the school.
A survey was issued to the junior high parents in the fall and in the spring regarding their perceptions about homework in their child's class. An ad-hoc committee has been established to do ongoing research and prepare for next year. Members of the committee attended a workshop last week with guest speaker Cathy Vatterott.