2.3 mill increase set by school board

At the tax hearings, required by law to be held prior to a raise in the millage rate, Dodge County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Darrel May, explained the need for the mill increase citing inflation, state cuts, and shifting of fiscal responsibility. The state requires a minimum of 5 mills to be provided by the landowners in order to meet Quality Basic Education (QBE). However, the state has been cutting education funding while the costs have increased.
A very serious concern among the school board members was the governor’s austerity cuts (which he may enact “at his discretion”). Usually, the austerity cuts come only once a year, but the governor has enacted three already this year including one, which came, by surprise, on Tuesday, July 21.
After discussion, board members agreed they couldn’t find any way around the raise, and they have cut until there is “almost nothing left to cut”. Dr. May said that with the millage increase the board will just meet basic standards for QBE and the raise is necessary if you value education. “These cuts are bleak and dismal”, said Dr. May, “but are not the end.”
The City of Eastman voted Monday night to keep their millage rate at six mills. The county board of commissioners voted to keep their millage rate at 9.75, both the same as last year.
The board also approved the changes to the Dodge County High School (DCHS) handbook, construction at North and South Dodge Elementary Schools, the Dodge County High Band cookie dough sale, and their proposed budget. They also approved the PTO’s (Parent Teacher Organization) request to provide landscaping and a mural at North Dodge Elementary with the stipulation that the PTO would provide for total upkeep. Also, the board approved the PET milk bid and is looking at prices to replace the gas line at Peabody Gym.
The board also accepted resignations from Theron McCranie, Dodge County Middle School (DCMS) eighth grade Social Studies teacher and Donna Morris, North Dodge Media Center paraprofessional. Staff recommendations made by Dr. May were: Dr. Walter Welsh, DCHS science position; Kalandra Waites, DCHS paraprofessional; Michelle Wahl, DCHS Special Ed/Transition Job Coach; Holly Jones, family involvement coordinator; Andrea McCranie, abstinence coordinator; Kathy Simmons, changing status from contracted to employee; Terry Evans, DCHS Assistant Softball Coach.
The board also requested to employ half time system level assistive technology assistant, half time system level co-teaching coach and to replace community-based work program coach.