Approval of the 2013-15 Becker Administrator Association contract agreement, a new lease agreement for a lease-purchase agreement for two new school buses and the adoption of policies regulating extracurricular transportation and student travel/field trips were among the items on the agenda at the regular meeting of the Becker Board of Education Monday night.
Contracts
The board unanimously approved the proposed 2013-15 Becker Administrator Association Contract which covers principals and asst. principals. The agreement includes a salary schedule as follows: 2012-13: $625,838 (1.31% increase) and a total district cost of $876,241; 2013-14: $634,022 (1.71% increase), and a total district cost of $892,056; 2014-15: $644,862 (3.02% increase), and a total district cost of $911,400.
Documents provided state that the total package cost increase is 1.98% per year, with increases in health insurance monthly caps, the ability to convert three sick days to one vacation day and raises the vacation carryover from 10 to 12 days per year.
No movement has been reported on the current contract negotiations between the school district and the Becker Education Association, which included a mediation session on Wednesday. A district press release issued that same day stated that a closed negotiating meeting will be held before the next mediation session, which is set for Fri., June 20.
Bus Lease Agreement
The board also unanimously approved a motion allowing Superintendent Dr. Stephen Malone or Director of Business Services Joe Prom to enter into a lease agreement with Sovereign Bank via Hoglund Bus and Truck Co involving two 77-passenger buses.
The buses will be leased over a five-year period, with estimated costs of $188,231. A down payment of $39,140 will be made in July, with the total amount financed at $149,091. Payments of $39,140 will be made in July of 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, with a lease rate of 1.90% and a total interest cost of $7,469.
Financing quotes were received from three lenders, according to documents provided, with Sovereign Bank coming in as the lowest provider.
Policies
The board approved implementation of Policy 710 regulating vehicles used in extracurricular transportation, and Policy 610 defining student travel and field trip vehicles. The board also conducted first readings of Policy 406: Public and Private Personnel Data, and Policy 414: Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse.
Other Business
The board created wall charts with tabs containing stakeholder inputs into exit outcome areas that will be used in establishing goals for the 2015-16 school year.
Following the regular session, the board moved into closed session for the purpose of conducting an evaluation of the job performance of the district superintendent.
