ELLINWOOD — The USD 355 School Board held its regularly scheduled meeting last week and approved the budget for next year after a hearing.
There will be a slight increase in the mill levy assessment from 59.947 mills  for 2013 to 59.955 mills for 2014.
Superintendent Ben Jacobs reported that the schools received minimal damage during the flood, according to the unofficial minutes of the meeting.
He also said that preliminary enrollment numbers look higher than last year.
Ellinwood Public School and Library Foundation has created the Eagle Public School Educator’s of the Year Award. The educator has to be certified and will receive a stipend with the award.
Ellinwood Grade School Principal Eric Sjogren gave informational reports on said that the enrollment number is 217 at EGS at this time.  Ellinwood Jr./Sr. High School Shawn Henderson reported that enrollment is 197 at this time.
Several classrooms were re-organized this year to allow for full utilization of the “new hall” on the North wing.
The board is considering facility infrastructure upgrades. The board has approved administration to move forward with the initial actions of the projects (meeting with architects and engineers, acquire plans, etc...).  The board is not obligated itself at this point to pursue any project or formally approved the completion of any project.
Jacobs reviewed the facility/infrastructure upgrades at the District. Phase I will be track replacement, door project, and Central Office relocation. Phase II will improvements at the football field, Phase III will be new locker rooms at football field. This was just informational and the board will have to give formal approval before the work begins.
Foreign language will now be offered through an online curriculum combined with Rosetta Stone.
After an executive session, the board approved:
•Katherine Mountain’s resignation as head middle school volleyball coach effective immediately as presented with gratitude.
•Shelly Ramsey as head middle school volleyball coach for the 2013-2014 school year.
•Andrea Everhart as assistant high school girls basketball coach for the 2013-2014 school year.
•Angela Peterson as assistant high school debate/forensics coach for the 2013-2014 school year.