The Woodward News

May 6, 2009

Board hears update on activities


Superintendent Don Bird in an update Monday on activities affecting High Plains Technology Center reminded board members the school’s Annual Awards Assembly would be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon May 11.

“Teachers and (administrators) will give out awards and serve food,” Bird said, noting that games like horse shoes and volley ball along with movies would be held that morning.

“It’s a big deal and students look forward to it every year,” Bird said.

He also addressed the special election to be held May 12 in Dewey County to determine whether to annex the Vici School District into the HPTC school district.

“Vici is running ads in the local paper, and today an auditor called (about it),” Bird said.

The annexation would result in a property tax increase in Dewey County of about $12 per $1,000 of net assessed value over a period of three years, according to a sample of Vici Public Schools tax estimates.

The first year, the assessed value would be roughly half of the $12 figure. The second year, roughly 80 percent, and the third year 100 percent -- representing a phase in.

Bird also said the roof of the HPTC building had developed a small leak because of a seam that didn’t get sealed up. The leak had been stopped, he said.

In other business, the board voted in favor of rehiring Vonda Smith-Wills and voted to approve the temporary appropriation for fiscal year 2009-10.

The temporary appropriation in the amount of about $5.9 million for the general fund and $838,373 for the building fund will allow the school to function until the final budget is approved.

Board members also approved fiscal year 2009 general encumbrance Nos. 1022 through 1094 in the amount of $118,694 and 2009 building fund encumbrance Nos. 11 and 12 in the amount of $8,313.

They also approved the Cooperative Agreement with the Gooden Group for 2009-110.

The agreement contains a marketing plan for the school.

The board also approved declaring HPTC equipment surplus as presented. This included two trailers that were worn out and had served as classrooms. Bird said two classes had been added to one of the buildings on campus and that the trailers were useless and not necessary to keep.

The board also approved the activity fund report for April 2009 and the April 2009 treasurer’s report.