The Luther School Board Monday night heard numbers; enrollment; the cost of teacher raises; next year’s budget, and how much a soon-to-be-announced bond issue might cost school district taxpayers. The board also approved an agreement to bring a School Resource Officer on to campus. The Town Board is expected to consider its part of the agreement Tuesday night.
Superintendent Barry Gunn said that enrollment is at 824 students, up five students from last year’s official number. The state doesn’t officially count enrollment until October 1.
Pay raises for teachers and support personnel are funded. David Harp, the district’s outside encumbrance clerk, said a “big payroll” will go out next week, but with the district’s savings plus some state-aid, the district is handling the $450,000 cost for the raises.
The board approved a School Resource Officer Mutual Cooperation Agreement between LPS and the Town of Luther. The district will pay $30,000 for the ten-month salary and training for the position. The Town is taking up the agreement at its Tuesday meeting. It is expected that 1994 Luther Alumnus Chris Tate, an LPD officer, will become the Resource Officer. Meanwhile, after the rocky start to the school year, High School Principal Shawn Meek said Monday night that everything is going well.
Mr. Gunn said the “long range planning” group has put together a plan for a bond proposal with a vote that might come as soon as January 2019. Gunn said the highlights of the proposal include something for all three schools including a library and saferoom for the elementary, a new cafeteria saferoom for the middle school and a gym for the high school. Look for details to be unveiled later this month, Gunn said, but the tax burden might be about $8 a month. The last bond proposal voted on in 2015 failed.
Congrats to my Langston family, Chris Tate! You will do awesome in the position!
Congrats to my Langston family, Chris Tate! You will be awesome in your new position!