December 16 Board Highlights
![Two yellow school buses]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1703695148/ephrataschoolsorg/m4y2vfrbfsh8soukdp0t/IMG_3979.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1703695148/ephrataschoolsorg/m4y2vfrbfsh8soukdp0t/IMG_3979.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1703695148/ephrataschoolsorg/m4y2vfrbfsh8soukdp0t/IMG_3979.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1703695148/ephrataschoolsorg/m4y2vfrbfsh8soukdp0t/IMG_3979.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1703695148/ephrataschoolsorg/m4y2vfrbfsh8soukdp0t/IMG_3979.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1703695148/ephrataschoolsorg/m4y2vfrbfsh8soukdp0t/IMG_3979.jpg","width":1918}])
Here are some of the highlights from the December 16, Ephrata School Board meeting. Members of the public are always welcome to attend board meetings. A list of meeting dates and times, board agendas and other information can be found at: https://www.ephrataschools.org/district/school-board.
Reorganization of the Board
At Monday night's meeting, the Ephrata School Board appointed new leadership positions:
- Jim Adams as Board Chair
- Josh Sainsbury as Vice Chair
- Mike Fleurkens as Legislative Representative
- Superintendent Ken Murray as Board Secretary
- Two Ephrata High School students, Charles Flynn and Roberto Araujo, were also named as student representatives to the board.
The board currently has an open position following Anita Waller's resignation in November. Applications to fill this vacancy are due by Friday, January 3, at 3:00 p.m.
More details and application process
Transportation Levy Update
Allison Razey, Ephrata School District's Director of Business and Finance, updated the board on the 2022 voter-approved Transportation Levy. The district has received nearly $579,000 of the $600,000 levy funds and has purchased four new school buses.
While the levy was originally expected to cover the full cost of the buses, they ended up costing about $100,000 more than estimated. The additional expense will be covered by the district's depreciation fund.
2025 Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy Update
The school board discussed efforts to inform voters about the EP&O levy approved in November, which will appear on the February 2025 ballot. In addition to meetings with school district staff and civic groups, the district will host a Community Forum on January 15 at 6:00 p.m. at the EHS Performing Arts Center. Superintendent Ken Murray will give a formal presentation and answer questions. An informal, drop-in session will also be held at the Bookery Cafe on January 22 from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m., where attendees can have "coffee or cocoa with Ken" and discuss levy-related questions.