The White Hall School Board met Tuesday night to discuss several matters, to include budget issues.
The District saw a $500,000 decline in their budget for the 2021/22 school year due to a drop in enrollment numbers, which cost the district $200,000. $350,000 in bonuses for staff members is also included, however the district should recover all monies lost in the decline by June 30, 2022.
Superintendent Doug Dorris spoke about this year’s decline.
Dorris also pointed out in the meeting that the district needs more bus drivers, and he hopes to find some before February 1 so those drivers will not have to take a new mandatory test that goes into effect on that date.
The district also opted to switch to AMI days for the remainder of the week due to an increase in COVID-19 numbers, however students who do not have childcare will be permitted to attend school and go to the campuses in order to utilize WiFi. Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from the schools.
It was noted in the meeting that students that live in Redfield can go to Hardin Elementary, regardless of what grade they are in, to utilize WiFi for their assignments rather than having to drive all the way to a campus in White Hall.
In other news the board voted to expel five students. Three of the students and their parents held closed meetings with the board before a final decision was made. Those students will be able to take classes online and can return to the district for summer school if needed, or at the beginning of the Fall 2022 semester.
