Ralls County school board approves reducing bus routes

Without greatly increasing the amount of time Perry youngsters will be riding the bus, the Ralls County R-II Board of Education voted to reduce the number of bus routes going to that community during the board’s June meeting.
It was noted that, based on current student enrollment totals, the bus route reduction will mean a savings of approximately $17,000 to the district.
The proposal was approved on a vote of 5-1.
In other business:
• Approval was given a motion to extend the bank depository bid of Perry State Bank for an additional year.
• A preliminary budget for 2008-09 was approved. The budget includes a deficit of $186,447.
• A proposal was discussed that would see a random drug testing policy drafted for the district’s extra-curricular participants.
• The board heard a report regarding the need for a sprinkler system at the football field.
• In personnel matters the following hirings were approved: Amy Epperson, part-time PAT parent educator; Stephen Bogue, driver’s education teacher; Jeanna Woodhurst, Mark Twain head cook; Lisa Willing, Mark Twain cafeteria; Kari Majors, Mark Twain custodian; Lori Alexander, special education paraprofessional; Cathy Maddix, Mark Twain English teacher; Karen Helmick and Cathy Maddix, freshman class sponsors; Stacey Grossman and Mary Jones, sophomore class sponsors; Ranae Ogle, Kathy Thompson and Tammy Smith, junior class sponsors; Karla Strode and Theresa Casey, senior class sponsors; James Dent, high school assistant girls basketball coach; Katie Heitman, junior high head girls basketball coach; Stephanie Conrad, high school basketball cheerleading sponsor.