HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board decided Monday to offer an early retirement proposal to its teachers.
The Board approved the package Monday which would pay early retirees 50 percent of their base 2016-17 salary.
Ten HNS teachers would qualify for this early retirement proposal, however, Supt. A.J. Johnson said the proposal is limited to only six teachers.
Those teachers with longest tenure at the school will be the first ones offered the retirement package, he said.
The decision is being made in an effort to save the school district some money.
“The overall idea is, we have several people who are nearing retirement. If those people were to retire and new teachers would be hired, it could provide a financial benefit to the district,” Supt. A.J, Johnson said.
Supt. Johnson said this is one way the school district would be able to save some money in the face of uncertain times.
“We know the state is facing a billion dollar budget shortfall, so things may tighten. We need to look at ways to be fiscally responsible and be mindful of the property taxpayers,” he said.
Two years ago, the school district made a similar early retirement offer, but no teachers took advantage of it, then.
Johnson said the school would not see a savings in the first year of the early retirement, but could potentially see a savings of $130,000 in the second year.
Johnson said he asked the Board to consider the proposal now, so the District has ample time to find new teachers.
“If the Board considers this now, then we can start the process of hiring new teachers sooner, giving us a jump start on the hiring process,”Johnson said.
That early start could be very beneficial, he said.
“It’s frightening how few candidates are out there for some of these positions, so we really do need to get a jump on this,” he said.
Aaron Fuelberth and Jason Heikes, who were both elected last week to the Board, sat in the audience to observe the meeting and begin to learn about the issues facing the board.
The new board members will be sworn into office at the January meeting.
Dan Kathol updated the Board on the tree and bush planting.
School audit needs to be approved. It was completed by Mike Pommer.
Board is considering an early retirement proposal the administration put together. “The overall idea is we have several people who are nearing retirment, if those people were to retire and new teachers would be to hired it could provide a financail benefit to the district.
If the Board considers this now, then we can start the process of hiring new teachers sooner.
Two years ago, the offer was made, but no teachers took it.
Proposing two options for the baord to consider.
They approved 16 policies last time, but they won’t be doing any more at this time.
The outgoing board memebers felt they didn’t want to create these policies for a new board.
It’s frightening how few candidates are out there for some of these positions, so we really do need to get a jump on this,” Johnson said.
HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board spent most of their Monday meeting updating policies.
Supt. A.J. Johnson presented the Board with 16 different school policies Monday recommended to be updated. Eleven of the newly approved policies simply update current HNS policy, Five new policies were also approved.
All policies were then approved by the Board.
The school has been working with the KSB Law firm, Lincoln, to make sure all school policies are compliant with ever-changing state and federal laws.
“Our current policy manual is very thick, this whittles that down so we don’t rifle through all those old policies to find things,” Supt. Johnson said.
Johnson said the company will also keep abreast of changing legislation and make policy recommendations based on any new laws.
Before discussing and reviewing the policy changes, the Board adopted a resolution stating any new policies adopted will supercede any of the old policies.
The Board also officially adopted a policy reducing the number of school board members to six. There are no geographic guidelines mandating where the members will come from. All board members are at-large candidates.
This policy change was part of the consolidation package originally agreed upon by the two school districts when they decided to merge.
The other policies included general statements on the duties and responsibilities of board members, and school patrons who want to communicate with School Board members both outside of a School Board meeting and during School Board meetings.
The policies lay out a chain of command school patrons should follow in case they have questions or concerns about the school.
Another policy, Policy 2009, lays out how patrons may address the board during meetings.
According to the policy, “the Board is not required to allow citizens to speak at each meeting, but it will provide the opportunity for public participation at least four times per year.”
The Board also approved a new Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics states Board members: “must conduct themselves professionally and in a manner fitting of their position.”
The 16-point Code of Ethics goes on to say each Board member shall attend all Board meetings and to make policy decisions only after full discussion at publicly held Board meetings.
The Code of Ethics also asks Board members to “refrain from micro-managing the affairs of the school district.”
The general policy statement approved by the Board states all policies, with the exception of the Parental Involvement Policy, and Title I Parental Involvement Policy, will be reviewed at least once every three years. The parental involvement policies will be reviewed annually.
The Board also approved a policy explicitly stating the school’s Mission Statement.
The Hartington-Newcastle Mission Statement says: The mission of Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools is to develop students of character, while empowering them to achieve personal success.
Another new Board policy specifically lays out the oath of office newly-elected Board members will be required to take.
Several additional policies will be examined and voted on at the Nov. 14 School Board meeting.
Also Monday, Board members were told the new gym floor at Newcastle has been replaced and is now usable. Johnson said the bleachers need to be put back and a few minor clean-up issues need to be taken care of before an open house is scheduled.