The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, approved two new hires and three resignations. Superintendent Dave Henrichs said the new hires include: Theresa Engler – Middle School High School Para-educator/Head Cross Country Coach; and Gene Straight – Middle School Science Teacher, They accepted the resignations of: Helen Riley – Middle School/High School Para-educator; Matt Leighton – Head High School Wrestling Coach, and Steve Vance – Assistant Wrestling Coach.

Henrichs said also there was a bit of a snag in getting the District’s Lewis property deed transferred to the new owners. He said ownership of the Lewis Building was transferred on July 2^nd, but they learned from Cass County representative said that the legal description was not accurate, so they have to back through a couple of processes and hold a public hearing to finalize the deal. With regard to the Elliott Building, Henrichs said that legal description has recently been finalized, and the Board, Monday, approved a Resolution of Intent to sell. The final step, a public hearing date, was also set on the sale of the property. Both Public Hearings will take place August 19^th. A Special Board meeting will then be held August 22^nd to finalize the transfer of the Deeds.

In other news, Superintendent Henrichs said the Administration shared with the Board information about tax rates for next year. He said the District’s Budget was approved March 18^th, but the State made some changes to the funding formula after that date. That means the levy rate increased one-tenth of a penny, from a Board approved $14 and 1.8-cents to $14 and 1.9-cents. Their goal was a standard $14.02, so that keeps them in-line with what was acceptable.

Henrichs said the same school officials currently in place (Business Manager/Treasurer, Board Secretary and District Attorney), were re-appointed by the Board for the 2019-2020 School Year. He said they also received an update from Estes Construction with regard to the Elementary Building project, and variety of changes orders were approved. All those changes affect the District’s Budget. He said currently the budget is approximately $76,000 over. The biggest factor was $190,000 in change orders. However, because the District invested the bond proceeds, it received $140,000 in interest, which compensates for the overage and leaves them still under budget for the project.