PSB handles mop up work

PRESCOTT – A specialĀ  meeting of the Prescott School Board was held Tuesday night to take care of some “mop up” business.

The panel approved assurances for special education and ESSER, basically stating the district will follow the rules and regulations of these programs as required in order to continue receiving federal funds for them.

It also voted to renew the food service contract with Aramark for another year, along with the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) which provides free meals for all students in the district.

The board was informed Aramark saved the district more than $200,000 last year and some of the funds will be used to purchase new tables and chairs for the cafeteria. The money must be spent on the food service program.

In addition, the district will holding summer school this year and food service will be offered to the students. Community pickups for meals will be done each Wednesday starting June 2.

As it had no choice, the board approved increasing the salary of all classified personnel to $11 an hour. This will also cover aides and make sure the district is in compliance. The increases will be reflected in the budget for the 2021-22 school year.

Stipends were approved for the SOAR grant, in the amount of $1,250, and National Board Certification, $1,500 the first time and $1,000 annually thereafter. The money for the SOAR stipends comes from a $100,000 grant over two years.

In other business, the board approved the 2020 audit. Superintendent Robert Poole said it was a good audit with no findings.

The board was informed the district will be going to its summer schedule, working Monday through Thursday, as it does every summer.