School officials approved a list of student fees and a long list of personnel changes in a meeting Tuesday where they heard about the first Starkville School District student participation in a studio school classroom.
Two items handled under the personnel issues were a $10,000 pay increase to Stan Miller, SSD athletic director, bringing his half-time salary to $50,000, and the resignation of Leonardo Thompson.
“Dr. Miller has taken on duties that were supplements spread out across the district in addition to taking on a major fund-raising push for facilities,” said Superintendent Judy Couey. “His job duties were realigned and paid accordingly.”
Rob Logan, district comptroller, said the fact that he is retired and working part-time means the district does not have to pay his insurance or retirement, a savings of about $10,000 a year.
Three of the board members made comments in support of the salary realignment, and the change was included in the unanimous motion to accept all personnel changes. Keith Coble called it “a wise decision” that split the duties of athletic director away from head football coach. Pickett Wilson commented on the money savings because Miller is part-time, and Bill Weeks praised Miller”s enthusiasm in involving the business community in fund-raising efforts.
The board also accepted the resignation of Thompson, one-time interim director of the Quad County Alternative School and current teacher, bus driver and coach for the district. He accepted a job as principal of West Oktibbeha County High School.
The board approved a list of fees charged to students, and Lee Brand had questions about why some were high. Couey explained that fundraisers pay for some of these expenses, while others are passed on to parents.
Walter Gonsoulin, assistant superintendent, said Title I funds are used whenever possible to lessen this burden on students and parents. These federal funds can pay for some supplemental educational resources.
The board approved the change turning the former Overstreet Elementary School into the new Quad County Alternative School. The school had been housed for the last few years in the industrial park, and moving it onto school district property will save the district the thousands of dollars rent a year it had been spending.
The district also saved money and handled liability issues by approving a contract with the Starkville Police Department to provide protection at school district athletic events. Couey said in the past the district did not have a contract for these services.
“We previously paid by rank and availability of officers,” she said. “This is a flat rate and will save us money.”
The board heard Kay Brocato of Mississippi State University give an update on the studio schools 2010 summer camp. She said the goal of the studio school program is to have two classrooms of 25 students each in the school district, one each in the middle and high schools.
Studio schools are an attempt at re-engaging students at risk of dropping out of school. They take a hands-on approach to learning that involves the students in individual and group projects that teach academics as students need the knowledge to complete their projects. The format is flexible to the needs of the individuals and the school.
“Each school district can envision how they would like to see 50 students served in a studio school setting,” Brocato said.
The board handled several other matters of mostly routine business before adjourning into closed session to discuss the embargoed state test results. They will meet for a board retreat Sept. 18 beginning at 8:30 at the Larry Box Environmental Center at the Noxubee Refuge. Their next board meeting is at 6 p.m Oct. 5 in the Greensboro Center.
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