Board approves personnel contracts, greenhouse purchase and schedules transportation study

At its June 9 meeting, the Jefferson Public Schools board approved several routine personnel actions, accepted a facilities purchase and set follow-up tasks on transportation and facilities planning.

Personnel and minutes: the board moved and approved the April board meeting minutes and the April 30 budget committee minutes. The board advanced probationary contract actions: promotions from first- to second-probationary contract for Kevin Babcock and Valerie Flannery, and approvals for secondary probationary contracts for Jennifer Knowles, Mary Alice McCann (60% general music), Cara Paul, Christine St. Clair and Forstin Zimmerman. Motions were made, seconded, and approved by voice; specific mover/second names were not recorded in the transcript.

Facilities purchase: during facilities discussion the board voted to purchase a greenhouse located on the west side of a building; the cost was described as under $4,000 and funds were said to be available in the budget. "We have the funding available for the greenhouse," the chair said during discussion, and the motion was approved.

Transportation study requested: board members and staff discussed whether to lease or buy additional vehicles. Options examined included a regular van (about nine seats including driver), a 14-passenger bus (does not require special licensing and is not a school bus if it lacks standard markings), monthly lease figures (examples cited: $2,300 for 12 months; $1,600 for 36 months) and purchase prices (about $60,000). The board asked staff to return with concrete numbers for the next meeting and suggested forming a facilities/transportation committee meeting to study the issue.

Cafeteria tables: a board member proposed replacing worn cafeteria tables; preliminary pricing was about $2,500 per table with an estimated order of up to 10 tables (~$25,000); members agreed to consider the purchase at the end of the fiscal year if funds allow.

Nominations and committees: the board nominated and approved Maria as board chair and Andy as vice chair, confirmed Wayne and Sue for facilities and AOS representation and appointed Sue as the MSBA delegate for October. All nominations were approved by voice vote during the meeting.

What comes next: the board directed staff to prepare cost options for vehicles and packaging with neighboring districts where possible, and to place facilities and Nobelborough interlocal-agreement items on the next agenda.