Opportunity would benefit school and students

Perkins County School Board explored an opportunity that could benefit both the district and the building construction students. 

During the June 18 board meeting, Superintendent Phillip Picquet said the district has hired a number of new teachers and trying to find places for them to live has been challenging at best. 

He mentioned an idea he had to building construction teacher construction, Kriss Krutsinger, who was very enthusiastic about it. 

This idea consisted of finding a lot upon which the building construction class could build a duplex. 

“We could maybe kill two birds with one stone and benefit ourselves by being able to find some housing for our teachers and give our kids an opportunity with some experience,” he said. 

Picquet had Krutsinger put together some preliminary numbers, who estimated one side of the duplex could be finished in one school year. 

Picquet said a lot of questions arise with such a project, such as finding a lot, funding, permits, etc. 

He wanted the board members opinions before investing more time in it, and they all expressed interest in looking into the different options. 

Laptop purchase

The board approved the purchase of 15 MacBook Air laptops for $14,850. 

Superintendent Phillip Picquet said he received $15,000 in Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP) money, which must be spent this year. The laptops will be purchased with that money. 

The new computers will go to the incoming freshman.

Meal price increase

The board approved the increase of breakfast and lunch prices. Breakfast will be $1.80; elementary lunch, $2.80 and junior/senior high lunch, $3.10.

Prices reflect an increase of 10 cents for breakfast and 25 cents for lunch from last year’s prices. 

The changes were necessary to meet federal and Nebraska Department of Education requirements. 

Wage increases

Paraprofessional pay increased 40 cents an hour and all other classified staff was increased 35 cents an hour. 

Route pay was increased to $39.25 per route, up from $38. This is an estimated increase of $39,261.61 for the 2018-19 school year. 

Head of Maintenance Ryan Putnam’s salary was increased 3 percent. 

Elsie building agreement

Victor Perez, Village of Elsie board member, asked Picquet if the district would be willing to allow the village to store some of their equipment in the building the school owns. 

The board gave Picquet the okay to make arrangements for the agreement.