NL says hello, goodbye to board members

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? It was a meeting full of goodbyes and hellos for the New London School Board on Tuesday night. Before holding their regular meeting, the board worked through their annual meeting as well as an organizational meeting, and both were filled with a mixture of emotions.

First to say his goodbyes was eight-year board member, Dennis Carter. Carter did not seek re-election for another term. Carter, who received a plaque recognizing his years of service from Superintendent Steve McAllister, took a moment to share some parting words to the crowded room.

?I do want to say that we have a very sound school and a sound staff that has enriched the lives of our kids,? Carter insisted. ?As for the new board members, I know you will care for our students and give them a good place to learn before they advance on to the next stage of their lives.?

Laurie Hempen, who has completed 20 years of service to the school board, was unable to attend Tuesday?s meeting to personally accept her retirement from the board. However, despite her absence, McAllister did take a moment to thank Hempen for her service.

?The amount of time Laurie has dedicated to this board is pretty incredible,? said McAllister. ?I know she has said to me many times that she is proud of this board and this school district?s progress over the years. She will always be a New London Tiger and we want to thank her for her service.?

Once goodbyes had been said, it was time to swear in new members, Jesse Howard and Skye Wellington. The election of officers were also approved for Lindsay Porter as board president; Travis Benz as board vice president; Wellington as Henry County conference board officer; and Shane Mettler as the voting delegate to the Iowa Association of School Board?s Delegate Assembly. The entire board was approved to serve on the negotiation committee.

During the annual meeting, Jessica Boyer was voted to once again serve as the board secretary and treasurer, and was also charged with presenting the annual financial report to the board.

?The beginning balance in our general fund last year was $675, 999. Our ending balance was $736, 524.12, so you can see we did gain a little. Overall, we are doing fine in most of our accounts, we just have to be careful with everything that we spend,? said Boyer.

In regard to the special education supplement fund, Boyer reported the account is now in a positive place, and credits the actions of the board and special education staff for making it so.

?In fiscal year 2014, we ended our special education fund with a deficit. Fiscal year 2014 ended positive $61,283.90, which is a major, major improvement,? said Boyer. ? I know we have had to make some difficult staffing changes to accomplish this and our staff have been working hard to limit our special education expenditures to just the necessities. Now, we are finally out of that deficit, which is a really good thing.?

In other budget-related news, the board approved the annual transportation report and appointed Drew Bracken as the board?s legal counsel. The board also set bank depository limits with Danville State Savings Bank, and Two Rivers Bank and Trust at a limit of $1 million with each bank.