Leyton Board Trims Budget

The Leyton Board of Education approved its 2021-2022 fiscal year budget with a reduction to the building fund.

During the public comments portion of the meeting, several residents spoke against the concept of one principal overseeing both the high school and elementary school. All of the speakers supported the role of a principal at each site, from the amount of administrative duties performed to the support and contact with staff and students.

The board voted unanimously to approve the 2021-2022 budget as presented. Supt. Chris Geary cautioned the board the budget published in the newspapers is incorrect. He added that the tax request is the same.

Board member Rol Rushman this is not the time to change the budget and sought to rescind the vote.

The board recessed to call its attorney on if it could recall a vote after it had been cast. Returning to session, the board said its attorney confirmed can be rescinded.

One of the issues is the call for cancelling the building fund for one year

Board member Lisa Carter argued to maintain the building fund.

“I'm adamant about having the levy on the building fund,” she said.

Board vice-president Ryan Borges said he wanted to keep the mill levy the same as last year and offered a motion to reduce the budget by $151,515, the balance of the building fund. The motion died for lack of a second. A second motion was made, reducing the building fund by $55,555. The motion passed 5-1 with Carter voting against it.

The revised budget was approved 5-1 with Carter voting against.

The board also accepted a staff resignation, and voted not to move forward with the Nebraska Association of School Boards (NASB) Community Engagement Proposal, and discussed the superintendent's evaluation. Board President Suzy Ernest said the line item was not to approve a completed evaluation. Geary said he has had no conversation with any board member on what he is supposed to do with the evaluation.

“I have not been consulted in any way,” he said.

The board approved conducting an evaluation with a 6-0 vote.

Geary also told the board the district's service pickup truck is no longer operable. He said a replacement is needed; one option discussed for snow removal is an ATV. No action was taken.