Increase In School Expenses Explained

Superintendent Trevor Anderson informed the Kimball School Board on Monday evening at the school board meeting that expenses are up mainly due to salary increases and benefits, which were necessary to retain and attract quality staff.

The superintendent’s financial update stated that 51.41% of the budget had been spent, with 67% of the fiscal year completed. At the end of April 2024, 51.41% has been spent compared to 49.18% in 2023 and 2022 45.84% was spent. Anderson mentioned that the property tax draw to date is about half of previous years, but they expect a $300,000 deposit. The current cash in the general fund is $1,962,299.96.

Anderson stated that Food Service Director Danessa Terrill applied for the Community Eligibility Program for the next school year. Under this program, all KPS students would receive free breakfast and lunch. Approval is anticipated during the summer.

In other administrative news, both principals reported that enrollment is steady with Mary Lynch at 220 students and the Jr/Sr High School at 168 students. Spring testing has been completed at both sites and activities are coming to a close, with May 22 the last day of school.

Action items included approval of overnight/out-of-state trips. The board approved the following trips: a football team retreat at Laramie Peak, a volleyball trip to Ogallala, a cheer camp at Colorado State University, a track trip to Fort Collins, a wrestling camp in Loveland, and a boys basketball camp at CSU Pueblo. These trips are intended to enhance the students’ learning and team-building experiences.

The board also accepted the resignation of Spanish teacher Christine Lewis.

In the final action item, the board voted to approve a softball cooperative with Gering Public Schools for the next two years. The vote was 4-1 with Travis Cook voting nay and Jennifer Griebel absent.

A variety of items were discussed, primarily the cell phone policy for both Mary Lynch and the Jr/Sr High School.

Principal Danielle Reader presented research that shows cell phones are a distraction to learning, and that social media and bullying create issues within the school. Reader proposed a policy that would encourage more socialization and discourage social media addiction. The policy will be taken up at another meeting for further discussion and refinement.

More discussion surfaced about graduation requirements and student recognition. At the current time, there is no minimum attendance for academic recognition. The board discussed the possible change to 4 or 6 required semesters to be eligible for academic awards.

Other discussions centered around hiring a behavioral support instructor with a special education degree, mainly for elementary school students, to deal with problematic student behaviors. 

Athletic director Darrell Howitt presented the projected increase in activities for the 2024-25 school year; every activity shows an increase in participation. 

New coaches include: volleyball – Jenna Enevoldsen, boys basketball – Trevor Anderson, assistant girls basketball – Andrew Bohac, girls wrestling – Katie Culek, assistant girls wrestling – Beth Brown, co-head wrestling – Scott Noah and Bob Culek, Jr. High boys wrestling – Kyle Anderson, boys track – Gene Mohr, girls track – Tiffany Johnson, girls track – Jaclyn Burks, assistant track – Matt Shoup, assistant junior high track – Larry Pahl.

The next Kimball School Board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 10, at the KCTS building.