The District 348 Board of Education is in a bit of limbo as far as the 2007-2008 budget is concerned.

It accepted, but took no action on, a proposed budget for the school year. The budget, as Superintendent Tim Buss announced, is balanced.

However, Buss said early in the meeting the district had not received its first August State Aid payment yet, but it was supposed to be "on the way." Buss added he had spoken with state representatives Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) and David Reis (R-St. Marie), who informed him that $544 million more over last year's general state aid would be available statewide. Also, Special Education personnel reimbursement will be increased by $1,000. Buss said the state aid to District 348 is estimated to increase by over $100,000.

Meanwhile, the board set a Public Hearing for the budget, on display at the District Office, 218 West 13th St., Mt. Carmel, for 7 p.m., Sept. 24, prior to September's regular monthly meeting.

The estimated budget has fund balances of $1,069,214 in the Education Fund, $198,906 in the Operations and Maintenance Fund, $411,275 in the Transportation Fund, and $406,014 in the Working Cash Fund for a total of $2,085,409. Estimated local receipts are $3,406,397 in Education, $596,8000 in Operations and Maintenance, $228,950 in Transportation, and $71,870 in Working Cash for a total of $4,304,017.

State sources are expected to supply $6,892,056 for Education, $900,000 for Operations and Maintenance, and $671,221 for Transportation, totaling $8,463,277.

Total receipts are estimated to be $11,130,064 in Education, $1,496,800 in Operations and Maintenance, $900,171 for Transportation, and $71,870 in Working Cash. The total is $13,598,905.

Estimated expenses are $9,760,323 in Education, $1,451,115 in Operations and Maintenance, and $793,870 in Transportation for a total of $12,005,288.

The board also authorized Buss to apply for a no interest loan through the Illinois State Board of Education if such a loan is needed.

Buss also informed the board that as of July 31 the Four Fund (Education, Building, Transportation and Working Cash) balance was $1,376,471.27. With IMRF/ Social Security added, the Five Fund balance is $1,439,229.15.

The board approved purchasing a security system, outlined by Mt. Carmel High School Principal Pat Cheesman in July. The cost is estimated to be between $10,000 and $12,000 with reimbursement coming from a grant being written by Director of Instruction Shelley Richardson.

PERSONNEL MATTERS

The board granted a one-year leave-of-absence to both Rayna Kieffer and Kim Stevens, and approved extended the maternity leave of Jennifer Davis.

It accepted the resignation of Marsha Foshee as the Mt. Carmel Middle School yearbook sponsor, and the resignation of Kristina Swanson as the district's Speech Pathologist. Also accepted was the resignation of Joseph Vargo as an assistant coach for MCHS Lady Aces basketball; Vargo was later employed as an assistant for the Golden Aces basketball team.

Leaves of absence were granted to Darren Peach and Paula Peach. The couple will be traveling to China for adoption proceedings.

The retirement notice of Dolores Kennard was tabled.

Jennifer Marvell was employed as a replacement for Kieffer as a 7th-grade Literature teacher at MCMS, and Teresa Berberich was transferred from her Speech Language Therapist position at South to the position of Speech Language Pathologist for Early Childhood at South, and the Pre-K program at North Intermediate Center of Education as well as at St. Mary's School.

Cathy Hatchett was employed as an individual assistant at NICE, Anabel Gonzalez was employed as a half-time Pre-K Program assistant, Teresa McGregor was employed as a full-time cook at NICE, and Amanda Boze was employed as a 5th-grade reading assistant at NICE.

Michael Leek was named as the MCHS wrestling coach, and Mark Crummley was named as a freshman football coach for MCHS. Volunteer assistants were Jon Baker as freshman football coach at MCHS, Tim Bogard as a varsity assistant football coach, Cory Hershey as assistant cross country coach, and Roger White II as assistant soccer coach.