The Taylorville School Board held their June meeting last night at the Taylorville High School Cafeteria, and voted on several major items as they prepare for the new fiscal year.

The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2023 budget totaling just over 36-million dollars, after holding a budget hearing before the start of the board meeting.

That budget includes a one-point-one million dollar deficit in the building fund due to expected demolition of the east wing at high school, and construction at that location of the new Fine Arts Center and classrooms.  Superintendent Doctor Chris Dougherty told the board that fund raising efforts have already begun to raise that one-point-one million locally.  The Board Tuesday night hired C-M Services as the project's Construction Management firm.

There was a lot of discussion at Tuesday night's Taylorville School Board meeting, about the district's bus transportation provider, Durham Bus Services, asking for an increase on top of the scheduled increase in their contract.  In a letter sent to the District earlier this month, Durham indicated they'll use the additional monies to offer higher wages to attract bus drivers. Superintendent Doctor Chris Dougherty outlined the situation.

The board recognized there is a bus driver shortage, but there were feelings among several board members that Durham was strong-arming the district in the letter they sent asking for the increase.   After a lengthy discussion, the Board directed Superintendent Dougherty to offer Durham a 12-percent increase for this school year as a start of negotiating what will be acceptable to both parties.  Durham is asking for a 16-percent increase.

The Taylorville School Board Tuesday night approved the renewal of the district's property and casualty insurance policy with a 25% increase, costing the district an additional almost 39-thousand dollars.  A letter the insurance broker sent the Board indicated the increase was due to the an increase in property values, rate increases, the District's loss history, and current economic conditions.

Aramark's food service contract for the Taylorville School District was approved by the Taylorville School Board Tuesday night, as was the general supply bid for this school year.

The Taylorville School Board accepted a number of resignations, retirements, one leave of absence, some change of assignments, and recommendations to employ, at Tuesday night's Board meeting.  See the complete list here.