Webster board approves routine budget, custodial account and surplus declaration; superintendent reports on staffing and student metrics

The Webster Area School Board approved several routine business items at its Feb. 3 meeting and heard district operational updates from Superintendent Doctor Block and administrators.

Votes and motions: the board approved a supplemental budget (01/1926); approved reclassifying trust/agency funds as custodial accounts (a state‑name change for accounts that hold money for student activities); and declared a set of old wrestling mats (described as roughly 20 years old and weather‑checked) surplus property with no value. All motions carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were recorded in the transcript.

Custodial account explanation: A board member asked for clarification and a speaker explained that the custodial account is the state’s new name for trust and agency accounts that hold activity funds (sports, arts trips, class accounts), giving the example of art‑department fundraising.

Facilities and insurance: Facilities items included salvaging doors for vestibules and the gym/music room after demolition work, and a continuing conversation about property valuation for insurance purposes. Trustees discussed whether there was any way to raise replacement valuation without increasing insurance rates and noted the district may not receive full replacement cost under current coverage; no formal action was taken beyond discussion.

Education programs and staffing: Superintendent Block and administrators reported that drivers‑education evening classes were oversubscribed (the program was capped at 25 but had 36 initial signups), the district plans a preschool/kindergarten open house on Feb. 23, and the administration has opened a posting to add a fourth certified special‑education teacher for next school year (district reported about 85 special‑education students). The district also announced support‑staff and teacher of the year honors (Bonnie Lutz; Missy Hartman).

Performance and finances: A trustee noted the district ACT average rose from about 19.7 last year to 22.9 this year with roughly comparable student counts testing (24 → 25). The district’s valuation increased from about $798,000,000 to $854,000,000, with agricultural land accounting for about 46% of the total valuation.

What’s next: staff will obtain facility quotes where needed and report back on insurance valuation and reconstruction estimates; trustees asked staff to continue monitoring program capacity (drivers ed) and to proceed with the planned special‑education hire.

Quotations: A board member said of the custodial accounts, “It’s just like a basketball, football, that account,” while the superintendent highlighted counselor and staff recognitions and said, “we appreciate what you guys do.”