Sulphur school board members approved the 2025-2026 budget based on the estimate of needs to be approved by the county excise board. The action came at the group’s regular monthly meeting Monday night.
Superintendent Matt Holder presented the monthly treasurer’s report, noting that the all-funds cash balance was approximately $7,622,829.00. The funds include the general fund, child nutrition, building, bond, sinking, gift, and insurance collections.
Holder noted that state appropriations are less than last year but local tax money shows an increase. Holder told members that expenditures are down from last year.
After a recent tour of the new building project, Holder told members lots of sheet rock was going up and the project was really progressing. Holder also made note that when the bond issue was approved it was stated the school millage could go as high as 26 mills but the current county millage stands at 17.78 which is a huge plus for district property owners.
In the absence of athletic director Corey Cole, high school principal Clete Cole reported that football was off to a great start after the Bulldogs unseated the 45-game winning streak of Washington last Friday night. Cole also told members the cross country teams were doing amazing, breaking all kinds of personal records. The softball team is also having a great season with several games scheduled this week.
Cole said the new band director is doing a great job with the members and performed at the game Friday night. The SHS cheerleaders will have regional competition later this month.
In the principals’ reports, all four building principals said the start of school has been smooth and most students seem eager to be back in class.
Principals also reported many activities and events already taking place such as fifth graders attending Camp Goddard last week and bench mark testing in the elementary building.
In agenda action, members approved many annual house-keeping items as follows:
•adding Jonie Wallace to the substitute bus driver list;
•adding Tori Christian, Tamara Lee, Gloria Sullivan, Sheila Thompson, Rebecca Merical, Jenny Ligon and Hannah Watson to the substitute list;
•2025-2026 school fundraisers; •non-discrimination policy;
•medication policy;
•Title IX committee for 20252026;
•stipend for Tara Hatfield and Madylan Bohnstedt for Aware planning;
•stipend for MHIT team members;
•drop out and remediation reports;
•sudden cardiac arrest plans;
•allows Sulphur Schools to use hours instead of days for the school calendar; and
•increasing pay for after-hour activity route drivers to $12/hour.
Following a brief executive session members returned to regular session and approved the resignation of Casey Arrington.
In new business, members approved the employment of Kelly Hall as a para-professional.
All five board members were present at the meeting.
