Still no comment on proposed county tax

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA["I still think we should wait until the lawsuit that is pending in Marion is final before we give any comment," added Board member John Hostert.

The board approved the minutes from last months meeting.

Approval was made to Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Hagel for authorization to sign any checks while Superintendent Stephanie Mulholland is on sick leave.

The board approved the updated Elementary and High School handbooks for the 2008-2009 school year. Amendments to this years handbooks were that all new students entering kindergarden be given an eye exam.

Approval was made by the board to the Village of Steeleville on a letter of support on the expansion of the TIF 1 district. School Board President Bruce Guebert stated, " I feel like we a being held hostage. We agreed upon a certain length in the original TIF. I feel if we say no, we will look like the bad guys in this situation."

Approval was made on the cafeteria bids for Chester Dairy for the milk distributor. Louis Bakery out of Evansville, In won the bid for the bread distributor. The board noted that with the rise in all prices, eventually, they will have to increase the price of their school lunches. At this time no changes have been made.

The board approved the book rental and fees for the 2008-2009 school year.

Approval was made on an a resolution for accounting changes. The resolution will create a new account to move all the tort funding into a separate account. Currently, the tort funds are store with normal education funding.

The 2008-2009 budget was approved by the board. The board did note, that it is subject to change by next month.

The board then went into executive session to discuss personnel and new hires. Once reconvened, the board approved the hiring of Julie Pyatt as the new business teacher. Matt Todd has been hire as the new Junior High School Athletic Director and new Junior High School Basketball Coach. Becky Ruebke and Vallerie Bohnert have been hire as the new High School Girls Golf Coaches. Corey Young has been hire as the new High School Boys Golf Coach. Scott Brown has been hired as the new Junior High School Baseball Coach.

The board approved Cindy Ramsey as Treasurer of Imprest fund.

The approval was made for Boyle and Company from Belleville, IL as auditor for the 2008-2009 school year.

The next Steeleville Board of Education will be August 14, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.