SCHOOL BOARD OKs A TENTATIVE BUDGET

The budgeting process marches on in Cape Girardeau Public Schools despite the uncertainty of the new state formula for education funding.

The Board of Education adopted a tentative budget for 1993-94 that is actually the district's 1992-93 budget of $19.3 million.

Historically, the district in June adopts a tentative budget the same as its previous year's budget. The official budget is approved in October when state funding figures are finalized.

But changes in the way school districts will be funded have put a lot of question marks on the budget sheet for next year.

"We are still waiting for information," said Superintendent Neyland Clark. "We are trying to deal with tentative figures coming from Jefferson City."

The most recent figures from state officials show Cape Girardeau receiving an additional $1.6 million under the new formula. But other simulations have put that figure as low as $600,000, causing local school officials to question to validity of any figures so far.

In addition, the new law affects how railroad and utility taxes are paid to school districts, but exactly what that means to individual districts is unclear.

"We understand there is a legal challenge filed in North Kansas City and we are watching that closely," Clark said.

Director of Business Affairs Larry Dew said the railroad and utility tax last year brought $490,000 to Cape Girardeau Schools.

Despite the questions, Clark said Cape Girardeau schools are in better shape than others in the state because the local tax rate is above the minimum $2.75 rate set in the new law.

"This is still a major concern to us," he said regarding how Cape Girardeau will fare under the new funding formula. "We have requested an individual meeting with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to discuss this."

Last year, the budget approved was balanced, following $1.2 million in cuts. Board President John Campbell said Monday that the 1993-94 budget too should show expenditures equaling receipts.

Cape Girardeau's budget includes an average 3.5 percent pay raise for teachers, support staff and administrators, approved at a special May board meeting. The following list of administrative salaries for 1993-94 was provided to board members as an information item at the Monday meeting.

Superintendent Neyland G. Clark will earn $74,514;

Director of Elementary Education Richard Bollwerk, $61,887;

Director of Secondary Education James Englehart, $63,984;

Director of Business Affairs Larry R. Dew, $60,611;

Director of Special Services Betty Chong, $51,270;

Central High School Principal Dan Milligan, $59,241;

Central Junior High School Principal Lanny Barnes $57,395;

L.J. Schultz Principal Carolyn Vandeven, $53,612;

Vocational-Technical School Director Harold Tilley, $52,735;

Vocational School Assistant Director Orville Krauss, $43,923;

Athletic Director Terry Kitchen, $47,490;

Assistant Junior High Principal Gerald Richards, $49,593;

Assistant High School Principal Rick McClard, $44,779;

Franklin Elementary Principal Jim Watkins, $49,593;

Alma Schrader Elementary Principal David Giles, $49,593;

Charles Clippard Elementary Principal Richard Giles, $49,593;

Jefferson Elementary Principal Gary Kralemann, $49,593;

Washington Elementary Principal Barbara Blanchard, $45,651;

May Greene Elementary Principal Barbara Kohlfeld, $44,000.

The board also discussed the school district's practice of bidding photography services for the high school.

Campbell said two board members had asked for a review of the policy. Two years ago, local photographers, including Steve Robertson and Pat Patterson, questioned the practice of designating an official school photographer. All senior portraits for the yearbook must be taken by that photographer. Students are not required to purchase photos.

A new yearbook adviser has been hired for the coming school year, reviving the issue. The board directed administrators to look into the situation, and if necessary, make a recommendation to the board.

Board member Pat Ruopp said, "This is a procedure, not a policy. I don't see this as a board decision."

In addition:

The board accepted a bid of $80,300 for the Vocational school's building trades house.

No bids were received on the Campster or Kage school properties. School officials said they would look at other ways of selling the property, including listing it in a multi-list system.

A bid from Capital Bank was approved for school banking services.