Schools receive $384,000 more from state

By SALLY BOYD

Neighbors Editor

The Bellevue Board of Education met in special session Monday morning to wrap up financial business of the district for the 2007-2008 school year, which ended Monday, and to conduct a limited amount of other business.

"This is year's end and we have to come into balance," said Treasurer Nancy Beier. "We have to be equal to or less with what we receive. The same is also true for appropriations."

Beier gave each of the five board members a list of appropriation additions or reductions, including some fund-to-fund transfers, all of which were required because of unpaid fees at the junior and senior high schools.

"These are permanent transfers. If they are paid (by students) now, it will go into the general fund," she said.

Although it was not discussed Monday, it has recently been reported the school district will be receiving $384,422 additional monies from the State of Ohio, which miscalculated the district's enrollment for 2007-2008. While many districts are having to pay back funds for the same reason, Bellevue will be getting the extra money.

Beier explained the recalculation was done as a result of the state eliminating the personal property tax.

"They estimated we would have an increase in enrollment. We knew it was going down; I even called (Columbus) to tell them that, but they said it was going up. In May, when the legislature passed the budget correction bill, they did a recalculation. They took the May actual enrollment, which showed the decrease.

"It is what we always had coming to us. From here on, they will take real numbers," Beier said. Payment of the $384,422 will come in three payments over the next year, the first coming in August, she added.

Although the major action coming out of the special meeting was the hiring of current Assistant BSHS Principal Steve Selvey as the new BSHS principal (see separate story), the board approved several other employment matters.

Also hired were:

* Anthony DeCaro, intervention specialist at BSHS;

* Susan Eastman, BSHS summer school OGT tutor, effective June 16;

* Mary K. Schaeffer, BSHS library-media specialist;

* Sharon Hill, junior high FCCLA advisor;

* Karen Irons, BSHS secretary, effective July 1;

* Teresa Link, OGT tutor aide, effective June 16;

* Wanda Sanders, OGT tutor aide, effective June 16;

* Shirley Tyson, OGT tutor aide, effective June 23;

* Tami Wylie, BSHS girls ticket manager.

Two resignations were approved:

* Carrie Sanchez, BSHS director of dramatics and Key Club advisor; and

* Karen Irons, BSHS attendance secretary.

In addition, the board rectified two administrative contracts previously granted Ken Burris, director of buildings and grounds, and Jacqueline Hess, food service director. The contracts, previously announced, were adjusted for the correct length of contract time. Both were given contracts through June 30, 2011.

In addition, it issued two commendations to:

* Transportation Department (Bob Daley, Kathy Hillman, Rena Jett, Barb Street) -- The district's fleet of 26 buses recently passed state inspection by the Ohio Highway Patrol.

* Staff of Bellevue City Schools on the early information that the district has achieved 29 out of 30 state indicators on the state report card, putting the district into the "excellent" category.

Board members concluded by holding an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and employment matters. No action was taken.