The Maries R-1 School Board, during action at its March meeting, accepted the resignation of one of its teachers, and approved the hiring of a new school cafeteria worker.

At the meeting, Superintendent Teresa Messersmith read a letter of resignation from elementary teacher Scott Mayberry, who teaches fifth grade. Mayberry thanked the school district for the opportunity. The board accepted the resignation. Mayberry was present among other teachers at the board meeting. Board President Vicki Bade said thank you to Mayberry for his service to the school district. 

Messersmith recommended the school district hire Tracey Bremer as a cafeteria worker. She has experience as a cook and has accepted the position, pending board approval. Messersmith said she had good references. She will begin at $11.15 an hour.

The job opening came as custodian Pat Hutchison is retiring and cafeteria worker Christine Robertson is moving to the custodial staff. 

In other business at the March Maries R-1 School Board meeting:

—The board members discussed the new MSBA board policies. Messersmith said they are planning to have a lactation area where mothers can breast feed their child. They plan to use half of the old concession stand area as it has no windows. This is for privacy. In that former concession area, there is a sink and they will put in a changing table. It can be used by the public as well during ballgames. 

For victims of domestic abuse and violence, the school district is required to allow two weeks of unpaid leave for victims of domestic abuse, or persons who live in the same home as the victims. 

The school district is not allowed to isolate students or put them in seclusion. Messersmith said the Maries R-1 School District does not do this.

The board members approved the MSBA board policies.

—Bids were opened for the surplus property the school is selling, a 1981 Chevy C-30, 350 engine, three quarter-ton, dual axle, four wheel drive truck with dump bed and snow plow. Bids included Justin Duggan $2,001, Randy Wansing, $1,210, Silas Sluter $1,000, Cody Haslag $3,000, Mark Kleffner $3,390, Daryl White $3,082, Jim Sandbothe $801, Kenneth Bullock $1,800, Todd Schoene $3,526, and John Schulte $553.

The board approved the bid received from Todd Schoene. Board Vice President Penny Schoene abstained from the vote. 

—To the teachers who were attending the school board meeting, Bade thanked them for coming to the meeting, saying, “You work hard all day. We appreciate you being here.”

—In the financial report, Messersmith reported April 20022 Formula/CTF revenues of $112,169.64. This compares to the same month last year when R-1 received $119,349.77. 

Prop C revenue for March was $43,431.32 compared to last March when the school received $35,833.34. 

Transportation income was $8,127 for March, compared to April 20021 when it was $6,150.

The March electricity expenses were $3,936.27, which compares to the previous year when the school spent $3,508.18 during the month. Propane was purchased in March for $13,069 although the school has not yet received the invoice. The current propane reading is 46 percent. 

The board approved the payment of bills.

They discussed the financial statement, asking for more broad information rather than monthly stats. Bade suggested a report on quarterly budget trends. Board members Dave Garro suggested informing them when something of significance happens. Bade said the board members are interested in knowing about any “big ticket items” during the month. Schoene said also they would like information about budget surplus or deficits at the beginning and end of the year. Garro said information they would like to know would include if propane goes up, any boiler problems, or buses offline. Schoene said she wants information to help them see where they will be financially at the end of the year. Bade said to help the board members have an idea where they are, it would be good to have a budget review every month.