Members of the Griswold School Board met earlier this week. Superintendent Dave Henrichs says the Board decided to list the Elliott Building with a Realtor to try and sell the property. Henrichs says they’re also planning on holding a surplus auction on June 8^th, for materials or equipment that’s no longer needed. Much of those items will come from the Elementary Building, but some are from the High School, as well. He says to be on the lookout for Sale Bill postings as we get closer to June.

The Board also approved the 2019-2020 Budget, which calls for a levy of $14.01/$1,000 assessed valuation. That’s just under what they promised the public it would be [$14.02]. He said they held a public hearing prior to acting on the budget. There were no comments or objections. The levy rate breaks down to: $10.68 for the General Fund; 73-cents for the Management Fund (which pays for property insurance, unemployment insurance, workman’s comp); PPEL (Physical Plant & Equipment Levy, 33-cents; and Debt Service (to make a payment on the Elementary Building, $2,28).

The Griswold School Board also raised the Driver’s Education fees for this coming summer. He said the student fee went from $300 to $325. The out-of-district student fee was set at $425, as long as there is room for those students. The instructor’s pay was increased as well. A straight fee is paid for classroom time, regardless of how many students there. The fee went from $1,300 to $1,400, and the driving instructor’s paid an hourly wage for drive time, went from $25 to $30.

The Board decided also, to purchase a used vehicle for Driver’s Ed. They vehicle they’ll be looking for will cost between $10,000 and $15,000. The old Driver’s Ed car will be sold at the surplus auction. Henrichs said also, they have missed 75 Instructional Hours of the required 1,080 days, but they’ll make those up. The dates have not yet been finalized. In other business, the Board evaluated Board Secretary Nancy Taylor in a closed session. Henrichs said that went very well. Another closed session was held for the purpose of Collective Bargaining Strategy. The Griswold School Board also agreed to continue a mowing contract with Bob’s Mowing, since there were no other bids, and he’s done the work for several years. The price was nearly identical to last year.