Savannah R-III board reports $4.583M surplus, approves career-ladder application and elects officers

The Savannah R-III Board of Education on May 14 accepted a year-to-date finance report showing $25.48 million in revenue (about 85% of budget), expenditures of roughly $20,896,554 (about 67% of budget) and a $4.583 million surplus with three months left in the fiscal year.

"We currently have taken in 25.48 million dollars in revenue... expenditures are at about 67% ... so, with 3 months to go, we are at a surplus of 4.583 million dollars," Dr. Hanson told the board while reviewing the general journal. The board moved to accept the general journal and the presiding officer announced the motion passed unanimously.

Later in the meeting administrators described the district's intent to apply for career-ladder funds from the state, money that compensates teachers for additional direct-contact services and principal-approved hours. The board approved the career-ladder intent-to-apply in a roll-call vote recorded by the presiding officer as six yes and one abstention (Nick Morgan abstained because of a familial connection noted during discussion).

The board also reorganized leadership for the coming year: Joe Barbosa was nominated and elected board president (vote reported 6-0), and Corey Schilling was elected vice president (6-0). The administration's recommendation to name Mary Piatt (district accountant) as board treasurer and to elect Deb Gestulat as board secretary carried, and Deb Gestulat was approved as the district's MSBA delegate for the annual state convention.

A separate administrative item to update bank signatures was tabled when it was noted the new president's name was already on the account. The meeting concluded with routine informational items, including a May business meeting date and graduation on May 17.

No ordinance, levy change or binding new budget appropriation was enacted at the meeting; the motions recorded were procedural approvals and the career-ladder intent-to-apply authorization.