School board increases credits, principal salaries
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ARLEE —Arlee High School students and their parents will notice some changes to their schedules, credit requirements and the way they can pay for meals and fees at school this fall.
The Arlee School Board voted unanimously during a June 14 meeting to raise the number of credits required for graduation from 22 to 24.
“I think raising the bar is awesome,” Arlee Schools superintendent John Miller said.
Arlee High School principal Jim Taylor said Arlee requires the lowest number of credits to graduate when compared to other schools of similar size in the area.
The increase in required credits will affect the incoming freshman class of 2014. The sophomore class of 2013 will need 23 credits to graduate and juniors and seniors will go by the previous 22 credits. This will increase the number of sciences credits required from two to three. Three math credits, including completion of Algebra II, are still required. The increase will require students to take physics or an advanced hands-on science class. English will remain at four credits but seniors will be required to take Senior English.
The school board also addressed issues concerning part-time student attendance. The board agreed that only students who are disabled will be allowed to attend school part-time.
According to Taylor, past seniors have sought to end their school day at noon or left school to go to work.
Now seniors are required to attend six straight class periods. During one of those periods, seniors are allowed to serve as teaching assistants. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are required to attend seven consecutive classes.
The board also voted unanimously to link the entire school using an online system called Infinite Campus Food Service that will allow parents to pay for student meals online. The entire program costs about $10,000 to set up and for an additional $50 provides an online payment module that will also allow parents to view and pay other school fees such as library fines and activity fees.
In other business, the board voted to increase Taylor and elementary principal Lisa Miller’s salaries for the upcoming school year.
Douglas Lefler, vice-chair, thought a raise of four percent, an increase of $2,955 each, was more appropriate.
“Our administration does a lot behind the scenes and we are blessed with an administration that cares about the kids,” Lefler said. “I think they deserve it.”
School board chair Amy Burland said she was worried about grants coming to an end and that she believes the district is competitive with other districts their size, paying the same or better salaries. Burland favored a 1.5 percent raise.
“We have good solid salaries and we want it to be fiscally feasible,” she said.
In the end, the board approved a 2.5 percent raise with vision benefits for both principals.
It was also discussed whether or not the Arlee Schools newsletter should be sent out in print or electronic form. Sending copies by direct mail costs the district $5,676 a year. The total cost for sending the newsletter via email would be $53.20. A card will be sent out to gather feedback from the public on the topic.
