The Lincoln County Board of Directors recently convened to have their yearly assessment meeting in Panaca on May 18. All board members were in attendance.
First on the agenda was the approval of granting the members of the board the ability to vote on the items included in the budget assessment. This motion was passed unanimously.
Second on the agenda was a proposal to approve alternative programs regarding present methods of distinguishing the performance of students at C.O. Bastian High School by way of a star rating system. Inclusive of this rating system is the consideration that C.O. Bastian is a correctional facility and ratings will be adjusted as such. This alternative program will allow the district to apply and hopefully receive grants, which in the past were not able to be applied for. Board members approved this proposal unanimously.
Next on the agenda was the tentative e approval of the 2016-2017 budget proposals, also unanimously approved. According to the members, little has been revised in accordance to the prior Lincoln County School District budget plan for 2015-2016.
The final item on the agenda was the approval of a 5 percent pay increase for the district superintendent. No questions were presented, but a discussion was conducted weighing the pros and cons of the pay scale increase. The discussion included various reasons why the pay increase is warranted at this time.
Board member Wade Poulsen interjected some of the reasons why it would appropriate, primarily that there has been no increase for nearly a decade, placing our district substantially behind other districts in our state.
Superintendent Steve Hanson also made some valid points regarding this increase and explained in detail that the increase should not be in accordance to number of students or population of each district but the fact that each district is unique in its needs to ensure a higher quality of education for students. Superintendent Hanson also stated that he believes an evaluation of job performance should be conducted by the board along with future pay increases to be considered. These pay Increases are solely presented and approved by the board and not automatic.
Another sub-discussion on the item was the consideration of extending the term of superintendent from the present one year to two years in office.
The board approved this pay increase unanimously, being aware of the importance of having a qualified and responsible individual as the head of their district.
The next meeting will be on June 9 at 6:30 p.m.in Panaca.
