School board renews contract of superintendent

By CONNIE JO DISCOE

Regional Editor

The McCook Public Schools board of education approved a new three-year contract and salary increase for Superintendent Dr. Don Marchant following a 1 1/2-hour closed session during its regular monthly meeting Monday evening.

Board secretary Diane Lyons said this morning that the board came out of closed session and approved a 4.2 percent salary increase for Dr. Marchant and extended his contract through June 30, 2008.

Dr. Marchant made $121,306 annually before receiving the salary increase of $5,094.

Board members approved the changes unanimously.

In other action:

* Board president Greg Larson told fellow board members that the board's facilities committee, staff members, maintenance supervisor Chris Wallace and elementary principal Kathy Latta will meet with Sampson Construction today, at 5:30 p.m., to conduct a walk-through at the new elementary school and to discuss a final punch-list of things that need to be finished and/or repaired before the school signs off on a finished project.

* The board tabled any decisions on the purchase of a new over-the-road coach-type bus for out-of-town activities. Board members discussed the pros and cons of purchasing and using one or possibly two 29-passenger shuttle-type buses over one 44-66-passenger full-size bus. Maintenance supervisor Chris Wallace will determine the position of the State Department of Education on the use of the smaller buses before the McCook board makes any decision on the purchase of a new activities bus.

* Curriculum Coordinating Council members Patty Smith and Julie Hauxwell described to board members the writing assessment tests given to K-12 students and graded by all staff members this fall. Using state figures that compare eighth graders only, Smith and Hauxwell indicated that the percentage of McCook's eighth graders who meet or exceed state standards is improving: 2002-2003, 73.39 percent (74.76 percent statewide); 2003-2004, 79.03 percent (82.56 percent statewide); and 2004-2005, 91.59 percent (84.94 percent statewide).

* Board members plan a meeting Monday, Jan. 30, at 6 p.m., in the junior high conference room, with Burma Kroger, a Department of Education facilitator who will help the board develop school district goals for 2006. Staff members, administrators, board members and the public are encouraged to attend.

* Dan McCarville, student representative on the board, asked that the Computer Club be allowed to have several of the 24 East Ward iMac computers that the board declared surplus. The board authorized the sale at an auction of other items that have been declared surplus; board member Jim Coady asked that the board be given a list of the surplus items before an auction is scheduled and advertised.

* The board accepted a $1,000 donation from the Bison Booster Club, to be used to purchase coaching apparel for the 2005-2006 school year.

* High School Student Council member Julia Lyons told board members that StuCo members will provide Christmas toys and gifts for a family with three children.

* Board member and finance committee member Tom Bredvick asked for feedback from board members and the public on the new monthly expense and historical receipts report under development by finance manager Peggy Ruppert.