Torrential rains in June caused flooding at the Hennessey school auditorium and high school, said Superintendent Dr. Mike Woods.

Flooring was buckled in the seminar room, auditorium and lobby and auditorium hallways, along with flooding downstairs from the high school cafeteria in the former band room, he said in a phone interview last week.

Woods said he told board members at their Tuesday, Sept. 10, meeting that the district’s flood insurance has a $50,000 deductible and he found out the district could qualify for FEMA assistance.

To do that, the district needs a bid on repairs and could be reimbursed for 75 percent for the hours it took for employees for the cleanup, he said.

The board gave him the OK to go out for repair bids and make a FEMA application, he said.

The Times & Free Press was told all board members were present: President Patrick Griffin, Vice President Dr. James M. Matousek, Clerk Luke Lough, Cristopher Choate and Joe Garrison.

The Times & Free Press did not have a reporter at that meeting.

Financials

The board approved the district auditor’s annual estimate of needs that show a $12.6 million budget for this fiscal year.

It includes a $3.5 million carryover and $6.2 million in estimated miscellaneous revenue ($1.75 million in state aid general operations and $2.9 million in gross production taxes).

That means the school needs to raise at least $1.9 million from ad valorem taxes, the estimate shows.

Woods said board members are still keeping a close eye on the budget.

In July, he said members and he are “being conservative and projecting we’ll be down $1 million in (general fund) income next year.”

He said last week that September gross production taxes ($258,998.61) stayed about the same as September 2018 ($270,907.22).

Business manager Timberly Jech answered a text request and said the year-to-date (July-Sept) gross production revenue is $258,998.61 compared with $270,907.22 the first three months of last year.

She explained in an earlier meeting that gross production money is chargeable, so it’s taken out of the school’s state aid the next fiscal year.

Woods said they are looking to replace the old activity bus, and one of the new ones they are looking at is parked at the school now.

Teachers of the Month

Woods announced these Teachers of the Month: Beth Curran, middle-high school; and Karla VanGee, elementary.

Bond Consultant Hired

The Stephen L. Smith Corp. was hired as financial consultants on bond issuances in connection with the $15.49 million bond election approved by school patrons in April 2017.

Smith has a minimum fee of $7,500  plus 1.75 percent of first $100,000 issued; plus 1.50 percent of  second $100,000; plus 1.25 percent of third $100,000 and 1 percent of all over $300,000 issued.

Personnel

Revised extra duty assignments: Matt Means, head coach summer volleyball, $2,000; Cheyenne Baxter, assistant boys varsity track, $1,500; Mike Driskill, head coach boys summer cross country/ track, $2,000; Driskill, assistant girls track, $1,500; Baxter, head summer girls cross country/track, $2,000 (total all 2019-20 coaching assignments: $142,850); Driskill, $700 (demolition and cleanup of old garage doors at high school); Basila Holguin, cafeteria head cook, $1,500.

They also hired Evelin Montes as a custodian to replace Rebecca Montes who resigned.

Other Business

The board also approved 19 fundraising events for clubs and organizations along with routine monthly financial and other reports.