 Calhoun County school superintendent Ron Blankenship was given a one-year contract at last night's board meeting.
Board President Carlene Frederick said Blankenship (pictured left) will stay on another year at his current salary of $81,000.
"We are grateful to Mr. Blankenship for his work to get the school funding formula changed to help rural counties," said Frederick. "He's been at it a long time, and it finally passed the legislature."
The board went into executive session to discuss the Blankenship hiring. He had considered retiring last year, but decided to stay on to work on several educational initiatives.
Calhoun County, along with seven other rural counties with student enrollment under 1,400, will benefit from what amounts to a funding formula change.
"This is some really good news for Calhoun County," said Blankenship, who gave a legislative report to the board.
"It will help us keep basic services going, supporting academics as well as maintaining buildings and general operations," said Blankenship, who has frequently spoke about the squeeze rural counties are experiencing to keep going.
The school funding formula has been based only on the number of students.
The extra funds may not be a windfall, but they will help.
The legislation will not simply give small counties more money, but requires several steps to prove the need.
The initial allotment for counties with fewer than 1,400 students is $450,000.
"It is not a lot of money when divided, but every little bit helps," said Blankenship. "In a small county like Calhoun it could keep a teacher or two hired or have an employee provide much-needed maintenance," he said.
The same legislation will speed up assistance and give more money to those counties that have increased enrollment.
During last night's meeting, a teacher, one of fifteen placed on an employee transfer list, requested a hearing regarding her transfer.
The board went into executive session to discuss the issue, but then voted unanimously to sustain the person on the transfer list.
The transfer list allows the school system to assign teachers based on need, meaning they could be moved from their current assignment or school.
During a discussion period, Board President Carlene Frederick discussed the difficulty keeping the walls clean in the Middle School and the challenges of maintaining the complex.
Calhoun Middle-High School principal Mike Offutt responded, saying the building was in use last year all but five days for school or special events.
"It takes a lot of wear and tear," he said. "We keep at it, trying to keep it up."
MORE to follow on board meeting
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