After first being introduced to the new teachers for the coming school year, Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education members took action on a variety of agenda items during Monday's regular meeting.
Board members received a update and a quote for a new phone system for the district.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan talked about what services Allo would provide for the new phones and monthly charges the district would incur.
Following discussion, the board approved the bid of $28,670.28 for phones for the current elementary and junior-senior high school.
Considerable time was spent on the topic of the district's property tax request authority.
Dr. Lenihan told the board that the board could take action to increase the district's base growth percentage to determine the school district's property tax request authority by up to 6%. School districts have authority to set this amount between 3 and 6% through a complicated formula.
Voting to use the 6% amount does not mean the district will spend that amount, but instead gives it the authority to do so if necessary.
County valuation numbers will be released next week and allow for a more accurate determination of what the district has to work with in terms of tax dollars.
Several drawings of possible playgrounds for the Early Learning Center were unveiled at the meeting.
Courtney Maas, Elementary Principal, shared information on what the possibilities are and told the board that there would be two different sets of playground equipment. One of these would be for Pre-K students and the other for the older students.
She talked about the cost for these two sets of equipment and how they would be paid for. These include with money set aside from the bond for building the school, Wayne Community Schools Foundation funds, a Recycling Grant, SPED funds and possibly other grants.
A decision on the design will be approved by the September meeting so the materials can be ordered under the current cost projections.
It was noted that the playgrounds would be all inclusive, allowing for students of all abilities to use them.
Board members took action to approve an Auditor Engagement Letter with Dana F. Cole & Company for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2024. The agreement includes a "not to exceed $17,000" statement for the services provided.
Dr. Lenihan said the district has been happy with the services provided by the firm and noted that work on the audit will begin soon.
Pay application No. 11 in the amount of $1,778,289.99 to Hausmann Construction was approved for the renovation/building project. The project is currently 64% complete.
Approval was given for the purchase of van with a lift for the Special Education Department.
A bid from Superior Van & Mobility for $63,894 was approved. A portion of this cost will be reimbursable through SPED funds received by the district.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan shared information with the board on the district's Committee on American Civics Reported and listed activities that take place throughout the year on days such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, Native American Heritage Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
In addition, the board received a report on the district's Multi-Cultural Education. This program is designed to prepare students to value and respect both their own culture and race and cultures and races other than their own.
The Wayne Community Schools' Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, Sept. 9 at 5 p.m. in the junior-senior high school library. In addition, the board will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 27 to handle end-of-year claims.
