USD 480 Board Discusses Leftover Money

The USD 480 Board of Education met Monday night for a regularly scheduled meeting.

The board discussed what to do with some encumbered money leftover that is in excess of around $500,000. The money can not be used on teacher salaries, and must be used this year. There was some discussion about possibly re-doing the Liberal High School parking lot, but the board decided to keep its options open by transferring the funds to the Capital Outlay, which will allow them to use the money at a later time on a construction project.

In action items the board approved a two year contract for Dr. Diane Gross for $110,000 a year by a 7-0 vote. The board also approved a one year $85,000 contract for Paul Larkin who will become the new Director of Human Resources/Communications. The vote was 5-2 with Cheryl Louderback and Reid Petty opposing.

Action items approved by a 7-0 vote include the consent agenda which is an overnight trip for Liberal High School Student Council Officers; the approval of new Literacy First Contracts; the purchase of counter top space for computers at LHS; yearly gym floor refinishing; LHS Pneumatic Controls Replacements; Renewal of the Success For All Program; certified retirement/resignations; certified transfers and employment; and classified employment/resignations/transfers.

The board also voted to extend Superintendent Vernon Welch’s retirement date to June 30 upon his request, and to provide him his 90 days leftover of sick leave toward his retirement package. Both of these items passed 6-1 with Dan Diepenbrock opposing.

The board also passed a Resolution 7-0 which calls for a ‘Mr. Vernon Welch Day’ on the last day of school on Wednesday for his 23 years of service to the district.