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Hoehne school board approves preliminary mill levy, certifies enrollment and OKs staff bonuses
Summary
At its Nov. 20 meeting the Hoehne Reorganized School District No. 3 Board of Education approved a preliminary mill levy certification based on a $54,964,390 assessed valuation, certified October enrollment at 271 students, approved several personnel hires and authorized a one-time Christmas bonus for full-time staff.
The Hoehne Reorganized School District No. 3 Board of Education on Nov. 20 approved preliminary tax-levy figures, certified the district’s official October enrollment and approved administration recommendations for personnel and a one-time Christmas bonus.
Board President Brad Blasi called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Six board members were present; Vice President Cameron Cummings was recorded as absent. The board voted unanimously on each item after roll call.
Why it matters: The preliminary mill levy will determine property tax notices sent to the county before final valuation figures are available; the board said it will amend the certification at its December meeting if county numbers change. The October Count determines state funding allocations and staffing formulas for the 2024–25 school year.
The board accepted preliminary mill levy figures presented by administration showing a certified assessed valuation of $54,964,390 and a total levy raising $1,712,579 at 31.158 mills. The levy breakdown recorded in the meeting minutes is: General Fund $1,465,240 from a levy of 26.658 mills and Bond Redemption $247,339 from a levy of 4.500 mills. Board Member Jennifer Yates moved to accept the preliminary certification; Torrey Walters seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
The board certified the district’s October Count at 271 students; the motion to certify the count is recorded in the minutes as made by Cameron Cummings and seconded by Torrey Walters and passed unanimously.
Personnel approvals: The board approved administration’s recommendations for a set of coaching and support assignments, including Josie Sanchez as volunteer cheer assistant; John Terry as custodian (hours to be determined) and as high school boys basketball assistant coach; Abby Yates as junior high girls basketball coach; Jesse Mullens as cafeteria substitute; Carlee Felthager as high school girls basketball assistant coach; and volunteer assistant coaches Dario San Roman and Shaylynn Choate. Jennifer Yates moved the personnel slate; Jess Cannon seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Staff holiday dinner and bonus: The board approved a district holiday dinner proposed for Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Trinidad Golf Course with Ms. Vialpando from Walsenburg catering Mexican food. The board also approved a one-time Christmas bonus of $1,197.52 per full-time employee (calculated as 2.75% of a stated base salary of $43,545.95), excluding extracurricular positions. Jennifer Yates moved the bonus motion; Brad Mincic seconded. Both the dinner and bonus motions passed unanimously. Board members discussed concerns about the district’s ability to offer bonuses in future years.
Votes at a glance: minutes accepted (motion Mincic; second Yates) — passed unanimously; Treasurer's Report accepted (motion Yates; second Cannon) — passed unanimously; preliminary mill levy certification (motion Yates; second Walters) — passed unanimously; October Count certified (motion Cummings; second Walters) — passed unanimously; personnel slate approved (motion Yates; second Cannon) — passed unanimously; holiday dinner approved (motion Arnhold; second Cannon) — passed unanimously; staff Christmas bonus approved (motion Yates; second Mincic) — passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 6:49 p.m. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
