Meetings

Wilkins, Monk look to continue impressive streak

First Posted: 6/24/2014 BEAR CREEK TWP. &#8212; The Bear Creek Community Charter School approved its 2014-15 operating budget Monday &#8212; a spending plan that includes nearly $70,000 in salary increases for staff.
The school&#8217;s budget for operating the school next year will be $4,450,284 and includes three percent raises for salaried employees.
Some concern was expressed about whether the school will be able to continue offering 3 percent raises in light of the pending school construction project and the fact that it is a more generous raise than most employees receive. The raises will cost the school $69,835 next year.
The board directed the school administration to conduct a survey of other area school districts to see how the charter school salaries line up with the districts that send students to the school.
The school&#8217;s board of trustees also heard a presentation on a new student assistance program, which will provide referral services for students experiencing behavioral problems, especially those related to substance abuse and mental health issues.
The board engaged in some general discussion about past issues of substance use, physical abuse and mental health, and expressed concern about instituting a process that would make students comfortable with reporting a problem or coming forward for help.
The board was told the program is mandated by the state and that the first referral information goes to the parents, who can stop the process in many cases, except those where school employees are mandated to report a concern to proper authorities.
In other business, the board approved an opinion certificate required by their legal counsel Rosenn, Jenkins & Greenwald in furtherance of the loan closing on the school construction process, approved engaging attorney George Shovlin to provide legal consulting services with respect to the proposed 403(b) plan at a rate of $200 per hour, and approved the hiring of Candice Dibble as a part-time enrichment paraprofessional for up to 25 hours per week at an hourly rate of $12.50 effective Aug. 13.

Bear Creek charter school OKs budget, salary increases for its staff members