The Greene County Schools board of education approved an amendment to the certified budget for the current school year at its May 13 meeting.
Superintendent Brett Abbotts explained the amendment is a “precaution” to allow the completion of various projects without going over the budget approved in April 2025. The amendment increased spending by $500,000, with half the total going to increases in instructional salaries/benefits, the new greenhouse, and the new preschool playground; and the other half going to increases in support services salaries/benefits and transportation.
The board approved the amendment after a public hearing at which no one spoke.
During the Reports and Correspondence portion of the meeting Abbotts said the electrical subcontractor for the solar project has begun moving equipment to the site at the high school/career academy. Construction on the project is on track to begin in June. He also reported that enrollment in the district’s new virtual academy is ”right on target for where we wanted to be” and remains open.
Board member Tim Riphagen reported the facilities committee met last week with staff from OPN Architects to see designs for a new ticketing/ restroom building at Linduska Field. Designs have not been finalized, but Riphagen said, “it’s cool and it’s happening.”
The project will be completed during the fall sports season.
Megan Holtz serves as the board’s representative on the Greene County Schools Foundation board. She said the district’s school buildings will be open for tours during the Bell Tower Festival and that the Foundation will fund bus transportation to each location.
The board approved a contract with the bus drivers union increasing the hourly rate for route drivers from $45.35 to $46.25, and increasing the rate for activity drivers from $20.03 to $20.43. Abbotts explained bus drivers are not eligible for the district’s health insurance coverage, and that is taken into consideration in setting hourly rates.
The board approved a new literacy/language arts curriculum for grades 5-8. After piloting two different curricula for several weeks, the staff recommended “Into Reading” for grades 5-6 and “Into Literature” for grades 7-8 by HMH Education. Cost is $81,030.17. That includes online coaching of teachers in how to use the material.
Staff and administration hope the new curriculum will improve proficiency scores, particularly in grades 5-6. Middle school principal Cara Pederson shared that students said the HMH lessons were harder than the other curriculum. The board approved updates of all interior and exterior lighting at the bus garage and transportation department at a cost of $30,526.
