Board hires coaches, learns of revenue drop

Eldorado school board hired three middle school coaches during about an hour-long meeting Thursday.

The board hired L.C. Talkington as seventh grade girls basketball coach, Joe Clark as eighth grade boys basketball coach and Jacob Griffin as seventh grade boys basketball coach.

The board also heard an audit report from auditor Greg McCaulay that indicated no instances of fraud, but does show the district's funds are down from last year. There has been a drop in cash from $3.8 million to $3.6 million, the education fund is $500,000 from where it had been with the state's portion being $308,000 and the district revenue portion down $200,000. McCauley said the transportation fund is showing improvement at $206,000 more than expenses. Tax revenue is down by $34,000. Payroll has increased by $205,000 which is about the same as other districts.

"About $420,000 is the overall total decrease over the prior year," McCauley said.

He said $283,000 worth of debt has been paid and the district has $4.1 million in debt remaining to be paid.

Superintendent Ryan Hobbs pointed out to the board there has been a loss to the education fund, however the district has cut nine to 10 positions upon staff retiring and the district moved about $200,000 from state aid into the transportation fund.

During the meeting: Agriculture teacher Bill Kittinger introduced Eldorado FFA Vice President Paxton Morse and reporter Gabe Quertermous to ask the board for a contribution to pay for the FFA National Convention registration and a portion of the hotel costs. The board agreed to help.

Administrative Assistant Rick Cox told the board every year the state requires salaries of teachers and administrators to be posted to the school's Web site. Cox said that information has been posted online for about a month.