Sparta school board approves budget
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The board also approved inter-fund loans during the 2008-2009 school year as needed, with a requirement that the funds be repaid to the loaning fund within three years, with the exception of working cash fund loans, which must be repaid upon the collection of anticipated taxes as required by the Illinois School Code.
Due to the addition of breakfast at Sparta High School, a cook's--Wanda Anderson—hours were increased from six to eight. Also the hours for an assistant, Glenys Prest, were increased from four to six hours.
The business manager's salary for FY09 was set at $55,000 plus administrative benefits.
The bid from Bannister Excavating Service of Sparta to oil and chip the Sparta schools complex parking lot was accepted. The bid is for $79,975.
Another bid in the amount of $27.28 per case for copier paper for district use during the 2008-2009 school year was accepted. The bid was from Ricoh Corporation.
The board approved letting bids for a new lawn mower for the district.
Heather Melton was employed as the 8th grade mathematics teacher at Lincoln Middle School, and Aaron Byrne was employed at Sparta High School to teach chemistry and physics.
The board accepted resignations from Jamie Buss, a teacher at Lincoln, and Barry Banks, a high school teacher.
A number of coaching positions were filled, with Megan Beelman handling duties for the girl's basketball team and Jackie Treece sponsoring cheerleaders—both at Lincoln Middle School.
Michelle Kadansky will be the percussion coach and Tonya Schartung the flag sponsor at the high school. Abbey Miles will be a volunteer assistant high school volleyball coach.
It was reported that summer work projects are progressing, including the Sparta High School roof replacement. A roof membrane was installed as the upper gym and gym lobby area and sheet metal was installed at the upper gym.
Also at the high school, asbestos abatement work has been completed, the gym floor poured, and a corrosive leveling is taking place. Most of the tuck pointing has been completed, as has door installation, and painting has commenced. Window installation is scheduled for the week of July 28. Gymnasium chair seats are scheduled for delivery on July 22.
In other business, a new textbook for the cooperative education class was approved. The student handbooks for Tilden and Primary Attendance Centers for the coming school year were approved. The board agreed to list the building trades house with Century 21.
The board heard firsthand about the competition at the National Conference from Sparta's SkillsUSA team of Lance Glodo, Josh Hanna, and Alex Veath. The board extended their congratulations to the team members for their outstanding performance at the conference, including Dustin Salger, who was unable to attend the board meeting.
The next regular board meeting will be held at Lincoln Middle School at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 18.