Sean C. Morgan
The District 55 School Board decided last week to leave its policy regarding distribution of information in schools virtually unchanged.
The board had considered whether to restrict the access of community groups, primarily youth groups, like the Boys and Girls Club, Scouting groups and Good News Club, in schools.
A variety of alternatives had been suggested by groups and administration at previous board meetings and a special work session on the subject. Among the ideas, groups would no longer have been able to pass out information through classrooms. Rather they would have had to place their fliers and information at a single distribution point in schools where students could stop by and pick up information.
The Boy Scouts typically enter schools each year and spend about 15 minutes each with boys from different age groups. As alternatives for the Scouts and for other groups, the board and groups discussed the possibility of using a few minutes during assemblies to talk to children about activities.
Among the administration’s concerns in raising the issue was the time the district spends disseminating information.
The fliers for some groups are often delivered to each school where secretaries count them out by classroom, Supt. Larry Horton said. Those fliers are then delivered to each classroom where teachers hand them to students.
What the district allows for one group it must allow for all other groups, Supt. Horton said. That means other groups could ask for and must receive the same amount of time and access the Boy Scouts use, potentially increasing the amount of time taken from classrooms.
Under the board’s decision at its regular meeting on Dec. 8, groups will need to count their fliers for each classroom prior to delivering them to schools. They also must carry a disclaimer that the activities and the fliers are not a school-sponsored.
“Community groups do have a valid need to pass materials out through the School District,” Supt. Horton said. “I still have concerns, but we will follow the policy and continue being good partners.”
The assistance in counting fliers will help relieve some of the time the district spends with the information, Supt. Horton said.
The decision leaves Supt. Horton the opportunity to return to the board if necessary, for example, if the number of groups accessing schools during class time increases.
“It would take at least two meetings” to change the existing policy if the need arises, Supt. Horton said. “If it becomes a problem, they would take another look at the policy.”
In other business, the board:
— Approved a cost-neutral contract with its administrators. All costs were covered by savings generated by changes in the benefit structure. The insurance cap was increased from $485 per month to $520 beginning Feb. 1.
A one-time stipend of 2 percent of administrators salaries was included in the agreement. The increase will not be added to the employees’ salaries. Rather, it will be for the 2003-04 school year only.
After taking a voluntary 4-percent reduction in his salary to $91,400, Supt. Horton will receive a stipend of $1,780.
All remaining salaries remain the same.
Business Manager Kevin Strong waived his stipend under the agreement and will make $61,107.
High school Principal Pat Stineff makes $75,359 with a stipend of $1,507.19.
Junior high Principal Hal Huschka earns $70,084 with a stipend of $1,401.68.
Student Services Director Elena Barton and Curriculum Director Jan Sharp earn $70,275 with a stipend of $1,405.49.
Elementary principals Mike Aman, Gloria Mittleman and Keith Winslow earn $67,791 with a stipend of $1,355.81.
High school assistant principals Steve Fletcher and Steve Emmert earn $66,929 with a stipend of $1,338.57. Junior high Vice Principal Louis Dix earns $63,127 with a stipend of $1,262.53.
Maintenance Supervisor Ron Andrews earns $51,077 with a stipend of $1,021.53. Transportation Supervisor L.D. Ellison earns $45,219 with a stipend of $904,38.
Other positions covered by the agreement include the swimming pool supervisor, food service supervisor, Community Learning Centers director, junior high safety coordinator, DHR coordinator and two confidential secretaries.