Skyline R-2 Board Buys Used Buses, Sets Tax Levy

The Skyline R-2 School Board met in regular session on Wednesday, Aug. 16, with all seven board members present.
The consent agenda items consisting of Board minutes, bills and financial statement were presented and approved.
The annual Tax Rate Hearing was held at 6:45 p.m. before the regularly scheduled meeting. The assessed valuation for the Skyline District increased for the 2017 year to $10,430,846. This was an estimated increase of $1,000,000 over last year. The consumer Price Index as certified by the State Tax Commission was set at 2.1%. With the increase in assessed valuation and the CPI the district’s tax levy went down slightly from 2016.
In old business:
* The Board approved buying two buses from Alvie Dooms for $13,000.
* The discipline policy was discussed with no changes being made. It was noted that there is a statement in the policy that allows modification of any disciplinary action on a case by case basis by the chief administering officer.
* The Board voted to set the 2017 Operating tax levy at $2.75 per Amendment 2.
In new business:
* The Board approved the bid for diesel from Empire Energy.
* The Local Compliance Plan for Special Education was presented and the Board approved the Model Compliance Plan from DESE.
* Four bus routes were presented and approved along with allowing the transporting of students that live less than one mile from the District.
* The Comprehensive School Improvement Plan was presented and approved with changes. Changes were suggested in the areas of technology, emergency procedures and maintenance of bus fleet.
* The Board discussed the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21. Skyline will be in session during the eclipse.
* A bid was presented to repair or replace the free standing freezer. After careful consideration the Board decided to replace the coil and condenser unit. The quote for $1,289 from Shannon’s Heating and Cooling was approved.
In the Superintendent’s Report: Enrollment for the 2017-2018 School year was 84 students and 13 preschool students.
Open House was Tuesday, Aug. 15, with about 92 percent of the students and families attending. The first day of school was Thursday, Aug. 17. The next regular scheduled Board meeting is Sept. 20.