MULBERRY GROVE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES SALARY INCREASES FOR ADMINISTRATORS AND NON-CERTIFIED STAFF
The Mulberry Grove Unit 1 Board of Education met Monday. Superintendent Mike Gauch presented the treasurer’s report and said the district had not received the second categorical state aid payment. The financial situation is as expected and internal loans are being made as needed. The first tax payment is expected in August and the district should be able to function normally until the payment is received.
Following a closed session, the board approved a salary increase of $733.77 and an increase of $20.00 per month on the district paid health insurance premium for all full-time non-certified staff for the 2011-2012 school year. Part-time non-certified employees will receive a salary increase of $386.06 and $20.00 per month on the district paid health insurance premium. Jr./Sr. High Principal Ryan Bauer and Elementary Principal Annette Hartlieb were approved to receive a 4.4% salary increase for 2011-2012 and a 5.3% increase for 2012-2013. Superintendent Mike Gauch will receive a 0% increase for 2011-2012 and a 5.3% salary increase for 2012-2013. A $2,000.00 stipend was approved for Board Treasurer Deb Jaskowiak.
Resignations were accepted from Tommy Barro, Kim Elam, and John Barnes as junior high girls softball and basketball coach. The board hired Bobby Koontz junior high boys baseball coach, Becky Criner high school head cheerleading coach, Kara Skogley half-time KRP aid, and Kody Brimberry full-time special education aid.
Superintendent Gauch reported building remodeling projects are progressing on schedule. Roof work is completed and work in the high school gym is scheduled to begin the Tuesday after graduation.
Unit 1 was notified of an 18% increase in the employee health insurance premium for next year. The board is exploring insurance options.
The board is considering a computer lease program for next year.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 20 at 7:00 p.m.
ILLINOIS MAN ADMITS PLOTTING TO BOMB SPRINGFIELD FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
Michael C. Finton, age 31, of Decatur, recently pled guilty to one count of attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction against property owned by the United States. According to court documents, Finton admitted that on September 23, 2009, he knowingly took possession of a truck he believed to contain a bomb and parked the truck outside the Paul Findley Federal Building and Courthouse on Monroe Street in Springfield. After parking the truck, Finton activated a timer connected to the bomb, got into a car with an undercover law enforcement agent he thought was associated with the al Qaeda terrorist organization, and attempted to remotely detonate the purported bomb using a cell phone. Finton remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment.
