Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Staff Size, Costs Down In Schools

Consolidation Of Positions Lowers Kimball School Payroll Expenses

The Kimball Public Schools board of education met for its regular board meeting on Monday, July 13.

While the regular business meeting was conducted in quick fashion, of special notice was future financial savings to the district.

Much of the reason is that 14 certified staff members either retired or left the system, and they were replaced by only seven positions.

Thus there will be considerable savings to the district in wages and benefits, well into the thousands of dollars, officials said. Many of the positions were consolidated into the seven positions.

The complete board was in attendance at the 6:30 p.m. session.

The new updated mission statement was read by board president Heather Norberg: “The mission of the Kimball Public Schools is to educate every student for a lifetime of success.”

The Parent-Teacher Handbooks were approved for Mary Lynch Elementary and the Jr./Sr.High School, and the certified/classified staff handbooks were also approved.

The principal report for the Jr./Sr High reported that August 5-9 will be conditioning practices for all sports. The first day of practices for all fall sports will be Monday, Aug. 12.

Elementary Principal Jamie Soper reported that 32 students attended the summer camp and that the bench in memory of Jim Reeve would be dedicated on July 16 at 5:30 p.m. Also, a new Pick Up and Drop Off procedure will be implemented at the Mary Lynch School.

The board next will have a special Work Session on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 5:30 p.m. in the District Office, and the next regular board meeting will be Monday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

All board members were encouraged to attend the Nebraska Association of School Boards area meeting on Aug. 26 at Gering Civic Center.