Board accepts rec budget

HUMBOLDT — K.B. Criss’s first official meeting as new superintendent of USD 258 was a quiet one, mostly bookkeeping to do with the beginning of the school year: Board representatives were named and final budget transfers made.
Most discussion was generated by the Humboldt Recreation Commission budget and plans for the next Building Trades program house.
The Rec budget was approved 5-2 for $63,765; $39,523 of that was slated for personnel expenses — mainly the cost of adding lights to a new baseball/softball field, said outgoing Rec President Sheila Brown.
Large banks of halogen lights needed to light the field are “extremely expensive,” Brown said. The commission is looking into purchasing a used set from the city of Neodesha, and used posts to mount the lights from Weststar Energy, she said. Even so, the money budgeted “might not even cover all of” the cost, she said.
The unnamed softball and baseball field, located on 12th Street near Sweatt/Manion fields, should receive a moniker come fall, noted Criss.
Humboldt Middle School students began a contest to decide a name near the end of the 2009 -2010 school year, which Criss noted should recommence in August once school is back in session.
The field is not anticipated to be ready for use until after Feb. 27, 2011, Brown said, a date determined by the commission and high school officials to allow for spring ball practice.
Humboldt’s Recreation Commission is funded through a mill levy administered via the school board. The commission had a cash balance of $45,308 from the previous year.
Other expenditures approved by the board included $4,543.75 bid by Hofer & Hofer & Associates of Humboldt to construct a permanent wall in the elementary school library. The wall will replace a sliding wall that is in disrepair, Criss said.
The 2010-2011 budget was based on enrollment numbers of 522.5 full time equivalent students. As of July 1, per pupil state aid was set at $4,012.
The district saw an increase of $67,750 in its general fund to accommodate a higher number of at-risk students; $20,000 was also added to the special education budget.

HOUSE plans were approved for the next building trades home, to be constructed at 1212 Mulberry St. A 1,890 square foot home is planned.
The plan is a modification of last year’s home, said building trades board representative Dan Wielert. “We’re gearing it towards family use,” he said.
Earth work will be needed on the lot to ensure proper drainage before the house is begun, Wielert said.
An estimated sale price near $100,000 is anticipated.
Former district superintendent Bob Heigele will be hired as a consultant for the coming school year on as “as needed” basis. No salary figure was given.
Criss, with the help of Humboldt educators, will review board policy on an ongoing basis throughout the school year, he said.