Chillicothe ISD trustees approve hiring of staff

CHILLICOTHE – Chillicothe school trustees unanimously approved the employment of paraprofessionals and other staff members during a monthly business meeting Tuesday, April 16.
Among the paraprofessional, cafeteria and custodial personnel approved for at-will employment contracts were Francine Belcher, Florine West, Jennifer Pachacek, Trista Leija, Susan Pautsky, Dianne Graves, Corrie Lane, Frinrick “Donnie” Wilson, Steve Cheek, Eugene Vidaurri, Steven Brown, Mikka Haynes and Pricilla Williams. Employed as bus drivers were Barbara Thacker, Francine Belcher, Susan Pautsky, Steve Cheek and Courtney Hendrix and employed as administration office staff were Patti Williams and Tammy Daniel.
Personnel actions were taken in open session following an executive session on personnel matters. The motion for the personnel action was made by Mike McClellan and seconded by Sharon Brock.
Trustees held a discussion concerning the proposed purchase of a 46-passenger activity bus. Brock raised a concern about poor timing of the bus purchase due to the fact that voters will be going to the polls Saturday, May 4 to decide on a $7.5 million bond issue for the construction of a new cafeteria at the elementary school, renovation of the existing cafeteria into additional classroom space, and construction of a new vocational ag building at the high school. Cheryl McGlocklin suggested that action on the bus purchased be considered at a later meeting after the bond issue election. However, some other trustees said the district is in good financial shape and could afford the bus purchase.
“We have to have buses anyway,” said McClellan.
But Susan Madl countered McClellan by responding, “If this bond issue doesn’t pass, what is more important?”
Board president Mark Williams pointed out a new activity bus is needed as students often participate in a large number of extracurricular activities outside the district, both athletic and non-athletic.
“I know this is bad timing but I’ve never seen the district spend tax money on things we don’t need,” he said. “There is money in our general fund to buy this bus. We have a healthy fund balance”
Williams and Supt. Todd Wilson said the district has left over funding of $369,451 from a previous bond issue. Wilson added that newer buses have less maintenance costs than older models.
“This is a school. You’ve got to have buses,” McClellan said. “We’ve got to plan for our future.”
No action was taken on the bus purchase following the discussion.
Trustees approved the purchase and the entering of an interlocal cooperative agreement through the Region 20 Educational Service Center, budget amendments and consent agenda items including the minutes of the March 19 meeting and payment of bills.
In other action, trustees discussed House Bill 3 for increase of $489 per ADA. They also approved principal’s reports by Brenda Dunlap, elementary school; and Tony Martinez, high school, that included enrollment figures of 108 students at the elementary school and 86 at the high school with average daily attendance of around 96 percent at both campuses. Wilson also presented a superintendent’s report that included information about finances, activity funds and an update on facilities and programs. He reported that a teacher and staff appreciation banquet is scheduled for May 8.
Present at the meeting were Wilson, board president Williams and trustees Madl, Brock, McClellan and McGlocklin. Also present were Tax Collector Patti Williams and principals Dunlap and Williams.