Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
After placing first at the District FFA competition in Kimball, Mallory Hottell gave her winning Creed Speech to the Kimball School Board on Monday evening. Mallory said she plans to win the state FFA contest at the end of March.
The Kimball School Board met in regular session on Monday evening, March 13.
During the recognition of visitors, resident Michelle Barret addressed the board about starting a local beef donation for the school lunch program. Barrett cited that Bridgeport has such a program, and they receive nine culled cows a year that are made into hamburger. The animal has to be taken to a USDA packing plant, but the program is helpful for lunch finances, and local beef is being used.
Superintendent Trevor Anderson has plans to talk to the superintendent in Bridgeport, and the issue will be placed on a later agenda.
Anderson's financial update reported that 39.26% of the budget had been spent, with 50% of the fiscal year completed. Actual Year-To-Date Expenditures are $5,007,557.47, compared to $3,622,893.18 last year, $3,737,600.65 two years ago, and $3,944,027.53 three years ago. This year's increase in expenditures was for the payment for the HVAC and window replacement project.
The current cash balance in the General Fund is $2,505,614.94. In 2022 at this time, the balance was $2,306,885.41 and in 2021, the balance was $1,578,674.10.
Travis Terrill, the KPS technology director, gave an update on the technology. Last summer, a replacement of the interactive board was the main project, while this summer, the Wireless Access Points project was approved by the board. The Wireless Access Points contract total was $37,090.50, with Kimball Schools responsible for $7,418.10. The bulk of the finances for the improvement is paid for through the E-Rate program.
The 2023-24 school calendar was approved by the board, along with a certified contract with Kathleen Winkler for 7-9 English Language Arts, and an overnight out-of-state trip for 18 math students to compete at the West River Math contest in Rapid City, S.D., at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
The board discussed needed capital improvement projects for the district, which include asphalt driveway and parking repairs at Mary Lynch and the high school, floor covering to seal asbestos tiles in both buildings, and security vestibules at both buildings.
The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. April 10 in the meeting room at the Kimball County Transit Service building.