WALDRON SCHOOLS Budget amendment, policies, A.D. approval fill board’s agenda By Matthew Maneval, Hillsdale Daily news Twitter: @mttmanevalHDN WALDRON — Earlier last week, the Waldron Area Schools Board of Education passed a resolution to amend the 2014-15 budget and adopted parts of the proposed NEOLA Board Policy. Additionally, the board approved the hiring of Mark Long as athletic director. At the beginning of the meeting in public comment, one member of the public was concerned whether or not the resolution to amend the 2014-15 budget was available for public view prior to the meeting. Board President Dick Storehalder stated he assumed it was, however, as of Wednesday afternoon the amendment still was not available on the district’s website. The sections of the NEOLA policy proposed to be approved by the board include by-laws, administration, professional staff, finances, property and operation. “We’ve sat on this,” said Superintendent Jose Vera. “Now we can move to approve these sections of the policy.” The board approve the proposed sections of board policy unanimously. In regards to the athletic director position, board member Ron Rayba voiced concern over number of applications received and the way the position was advertised. “We had two applicants, two interviews,” said Vera. Rayba was concerned that there wasn’t sufficient posting for the position, which may have limited the applications. “I noticed you didn’t advertise for it in the paper,” said Rayba. “Do you think that kind of limited applications?” In response, Vera stated the salary of the position is below average compared to other athletic director positions that provide a “substantial amount.” The board discussed possible conflicts that could arise being that Long would be both a coach and athletic director. It was resolved that parents with concerns or issues would go to Vera in that situation. Mark Long, coach of the Waldron football team, was approved to be hired as athletic director. All board members excluding Jen Long and Rayba voted in favor of the motion. Long abstained and Rayba voted no. In amending the 2014-15 budget, the board turned an approximate $25,000 deficit into a budget surplus. From the previous year’s budget to the current budget there have been expenditure decreases. In the second round of public comment, Brent Leininger voiced concern over the budget amendment and the process by which the athletic director was approved. “I find it ironic that we cut $160,000 from expenditures,” said Leininger. “I find it hard to understand how we can increase our students education by cutting $160,000.” In regards to the approval of Mark Long as athletic director, Leininger stated, “You voted to adopt some sections of board policy here tonight and under that policy, it prohibits a board member from discussing an issue when they have a conflict of interest and yet this board allowed a board member to violate that newly-adopted policy here tonight.” At a moment during discussions, Long provided comments. The newlyadopted policy states that a board member with a conflict of interest “shall not discuss” where there is a conflict of interest. State law does not state a board member shall not discuss, however, the adopted board policy provides such a stipulation. Storehalder stated he recognized the violation at the time it occurred. “We’ll go on and we’ll learn from our mistakes and try to remember next time,” said Storehalder. “It’s your policy that you live by, read it. Don’t pass something without reading it,” said Leininger.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:47:10 +0000
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