Board discusses supplemental staff contracts, finances

by Laura Bednar

Before approving supplemental contracts for the 2024-25 school year, Independence Board of Education members discussed the number of contracts and finances behind them.

Treasurer Eric Koehler said the district typically spends $400,000 annually on academic and athletic supplemental contracts. Not all supplemental contracts were listed on the agenda; often they are divided for approval by season.

Board member Carrie Sears asked why some sports receive more money than others, as there were more assistant coaches for football than other sports.

Board member Lynne Laski said it depends on the number of students participating in a sport and the need for more supervision.

“It’s something that has to be analyzed as far as, do we have any sort of framework that we operate off of?” said interim Superintendent Tom Dreiling.

Sears said the board should analyze how often school clubs meet and how many students participate. There is a limit to the number of clubs a principal can run in his building each year.

“Everything needs to be analyzed right now financially,” said Sears.

Laski said since contracts are only for one year, this would be the year to analyze.

Dreiling said the board should be careful about limiting clubs. “If we say ‘we value this or don’t value that,’ now we’re trying to put our stamp on what the pulse in the school is, and no one knows that better than the principals themselves,” he said.

Dreiling said there are two discussions to be had: the criteria for creating and maintaining a club, and how number of coaches is determined.

Board President Tony Avila agreed with Sears that the contracts should be analyzed. “We can’t just say everything is a priority,” he said.

The board approved the contracts listed with the intent of evaluating in the near future.

Finances

Koehler gave an update on finances, noting the district would end the fiscal year slightly above the $640,000 of deficit spending projected in the five-year forecast. The district will carry over $10.7 million of cash on hand and $312,000 to the permanent improvement fund.

The board approved transferring $75,000 from the general fund to the cafeteria fund and $45,000 to the athletics fund. Koehler said usually $120,000 is budgeted for athletics and this year the district spent $140,000. The athletics fund does not include salaries.

He added that the cost of cafeteria supplies has increased due to supply chain issues brought on by the pandemic as well as general rising costs.

“I would recommend looking at increasing cafeteria prices,” said Koehler.

A one-year collective bargaining agreement between Independence Schools and the classified employees was approved with a 2.5% base rate increase.

The educational fee structure was approved, including fees for school courses and pay-to-participate activities. Sears asked when the district last raised fees. Koehler said at least since he has been with the district, which is over a decade.

Sears noted that the board should discuss fees in light of the district’s financial situation.

Incoming Superintendent Kelli Cogan’s contract was amended; her annual base salary will be $155,000 with 3% raises in 2025 and 2026.

At the end of the meeting, Koehler, who will retire at the end of July, was recognized for 13 years of service to the district. “It’s a great place for a career,” he said. ∞