Board approves spending plan for 2004-05

The board needs varsity and junior varsity girls basketball coaches.
By JoANN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN CENTER -- The Western Reserve Board of Education approved its appropriation resolution and spending plan that will take it through a tight year when an operating levy is on the November ballot.
At its monthly meeting late last week, the board approved the total appropriations of $6,926,018 for fiscal year 2004-05 with $5,085,088 of that slated for the general fund.
Voters will see a 5.6-mill, five-year new levy to raise $425,000 annually on the fall ballot.
Board members also declared transportation impractical for several students attending parochial schools and decided to submit parents' requests for transportation payment to the governing board of the Mahoning County Educational Service Center.
If the requests are approved, the payment will be calculated by the State Department of Education.
Board members also adopted a resolution to implement a plan with the Lincoln Financial Group of Fort Wayne, Ind. The resolution established the plan for its employees as the result of new tax law that allows employees to defer up to $13,000 in a maximum of two annuity plans, said Charles Swindler, schools superintendent.
Hiring
In other action, the board hired Tammy Snyder of Boardman and Katie MacDonald of Canfield as tutors for the high school and elementary school, respectively. Both will be paid $15.36 per hour on one-year contracts that provide no fringe benefits.
Several high school teachers and tutors were hired for supplemental positions. Greg Malito was named senior class adviser at a stipend of $1,518. Diane Byers was named junior class adviser at $1,821, and Tammy Snyder is freshman/sophomore adviser at $1,214.
Paul Henderson will advise student council, and Cosette Hough is the Academic Challenge team adviser. Each will make $1,518. Kriss Yeager was hired as drama club adviser for $2,428, and Joyce Matzye is lead mentor at $1,103.
High school teacher Steve Miller was rehired as varsity boys basketball coach at a stipend of $6,071, and district resident Jeff Young will serve as his assistant for a salary of $3,642. Middle school teacher Harry Owen was hired as seventh-grade boys basketball coach at a salary of $3,187.
Swindler said the board is looking to fill the positions of head girls varsity and junior varsity basketball coaches. Anyone interested in applying for these positions should contact athletic director Bob Sternagle at the high school.