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The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their monthly meeting at the district administrative boardroom offices Thursday evening. After approval of agenda and communications, Superintendent Steve Bryant updated the Board on legislative issues, advised the Board that the MSBA Regional meeting will be on April 22nd in West Plains, and addressed numerous student recognitions. Bryant then presented to the Board a plaque for the Salem R-80 school district, one of 45 districts to receive the award for Distinction in Performance for the 2008/2009 school year. A Senate Resolution from the Missouri Senate in recognition of the district's academic performance received on March 23rd from Senator Frank Barnitz was also presented. In new business, the Board approved the program evaluation for health services presented by Ms. Cheatum. The Board then heard various performances from different groups from the lower elementary to the high school music departments. Bryant then updated the Board on the health insurance rates and informed the Board that the consortium voted to go with Mercy, which they had used before. Mercy is offering the same coverage base with a 70/30 match that includes a $5,500 deductible for the same amount of $325.82 per employee per month. Mercy is also offering a second option with a lower deductible for about $50 more per month and a third option of a health savings account. The district would pay $270.93 for insurance and the difference between the two amounts, $54.89 would be put into an account for the employee to use for health matters, and would be their money. The Board then approved the closing and transferring of the Debt Service Fund money. With the outstanding bond issues having been paid off in March, there is about $78,000 left in the account and it would transfer over to the Fund 4 account for capital improvements. In updates and proposed budget reductions, Bryant informed the Board that the district is striving to balance the budget for the ending school year and prepare for next year as well. There are still changes being made every week from the state and what they will or won't allow. Last week the state voted not to fund summer school, but this week decided that it would in four core areas being math, science, communication arts and social studies. One bill scheduled to go before the Senate next week could greatly reduce the amount of tax dollars coming from the state to the school district. In preparing for those changes and along with an 85% tax collection rate for the district, recommendations were made to the Board in preparation of next years reduced dollars of not filling positions vacated by those retiring or resigning from their positions. Recommendations were made about a  freeze on the step program for salary schedules, reducing para-professionals, alternative school, extended year contracts being modified and removing capital projects. Cuts have already been made in the supplies and sports budgets of 20%. Normally in April, the Board would vote to hire support staff, but due to the economic conditions, the decision was made to wait until May. The Board voted to discuss the matter further in Executive Session. The Board the approved the basketball booster club financials with a balance of $1,037 in their account, approved the meal prices for the 2010/2011 school year stay the same and approved that the student accident insurance stay the same. The Board elected Carrie Snyder their local MSBA delegate with Jack Blackwell as the alternative. The Board accepted the resignation of Special Ed Instructor Deborah Lauren at the end of the school year, and the Board approved the 2010 board of education policy updates with some changes by a 6-0 vote with Bernie Sirois abstaining, due to not having read the policies. The Board then voted to go in Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel, student discipline and further discussion of the proposed reductions.

The City of Salem Board of Alderman will conduct their meeting tonight at the City Hall Council Chambers beginning at 7:00 pm. After approval of the agenda and bills presented by City Clerk Mary Happel, the election results will be certified and the Alderman will adopt a resolution declaring the results. The Oath of Office will then be administered for the office of Mayor as well as the East Ward and West Ward Aldermanic positions. The Board will then appointment a President for the Board, City Treasurer as well as appointments to the Finance and Capital Improvement Committees. The City of Salem had requested bids for the straightening of Veteran stones in the American Legion section of the Cedar Grove Cemetery, and Mayor Gary Brown will present those bids. Alderman Jim Jackson, Kenneth Nash, Brad Nash and Jerry Randell will discuss miscellaneous items involving the City of Salem and Mayor Gary Brown will give his comments on varies issues. Bill #3196, an ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement between the City of Salem and the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to make an application for a storm water/drainage CDBG Grant will be presented. The Board may then adjourn and go into Closed Session. The regular meeting of the City of Salem Board of Alderman is open to the public.

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