Prelim audit shows increase in school reserves

    Holyoke School District Re-1J’s reserve balance looks to increase $272,000, to move the balance back up above the $1.2 million line, according to preliminary 2017-18 audit information presented at the Nov. 6 board meeting by Budget and Finance Director Ben Rahe.
    Referencing the Oct. 29-30 audit, Rahe pointed out that there was an anticipated turnaround this year, after a large loss last year that was based on timing of expenses. The increase in reserves looks to be somewhat higher than they expected.
    Lauer, Szabo & Associates will present official audit information to the board at an upcoming meeting.
    
Policy review continues
    During his report last week, Superintendent Kyle Stumpf reviewed several more new and revised policies from the Colorado Association of School Boards.
    New policies covered the topics of students in foster care and parent notification of employee criminal charges.
    Revised policy information was presented for safe schools, homeless students, drug and alcohol involvement by students, administering medication to students and administration of medical marijuana to qualified students.
    Second-reading policy approval was given for six revised and legal reference changes that passed first reading at the Oct. 16 meeting.
    First-reading approval was given for new policies on school meal payments and intra-district choice/open enrollment, and for revised policies on secret societies/gang activity, and student use of cellphones and other personal technology devices.
    
Other business
    In other business at last week’s meeting, the Re-1J board:
    — Hired HS boys basketball coaches, including Marcus Kammer, head coach, $3,102 stipend; and Ernie Kinnie, assistant, $1,861.
    — Reminded members that the second board meeting in November has been set for Monday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m., instead of Tuesday that week.
    — Noted that juniors Emily Jelden, Josie Herman, Shianne Willmon and Brenna Gatton will be attending the student leadership strand of the Colorado Association of School Boards annual convention in Colorado Springs.
    — Heard from board member Jon Kleve, who served as the district’s voting delegate at the Oct. 19-20 fall delegate assembly. He said 26 measures passed, with local control pretty much maintained in the voting.
    —Acknowledged First Pioneer National Bank, Bank of the West, Bank of Colorado, Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union, PC Telcom and CHS Grainland for donating pumpkins from Pumpkins & More A-maiz-ing Farm for elementary school students.
    — Heard an update from athletic director John Baumgartner, who noted that 85 high school students competed in fall sports this year.