Business manager Megan Leonard informed the Argyle School Board at their meeting on Wednesday, April 8, that they have moved some bank accounts from First National Bank and Trust to Woodford State Bank and discussed the transportation contracts the district received from Lamers’ and Davis Bus Lines.
With the closing of the First National Bank and Trust bank in Argyle, the district has discussed whether to keep some of their bank accounts with the bank, since they still have a bank in Monroe. The most recently account the district had was a student activity account, that they did end up closing and moving everything to Woodford State Bank in Argyle. Woodford State Bank was able to combine their money market account and the checking account into one. This would help the district be able to get change orders so they don’t have to travel all the way to Monroe. They would be losing some interest on the account when moving it to Woodford State Bank.
Leonard also talked about a money market account at Community First Bank in Platteville. They were able to secure a 4 percent interest for 12 months with that account when they opened it. The interest has slowly been decreasing and is currently has 2.7 percent. Woodford State Bank offered the district a 12-month CD at 3.8 percent. That would guarantee $22,000 interest. The district hasn’t used this account for years but moving it to Woodford State Bank with the interest offered would help generate money to be used when needed. The board agreed to have Leonard move the account to Woodford State Bank.
Transportation contracts
The district recently went out for bids for their transportation contract. They received a contract from their current bus company Lamers’ and Davis Bus Lines of Darlington. Leonard told the board there are still some questions about both contracts. Lamers’ buses are run on propane with some diesel where Davis’ buses are all run on diesel. Leonard didn’t have a comparison on pricing for what it would cost to have all diesel buses run their regular routes and extracurricular routes.
One question was if they could use both bus companies, one for regular routes and one for extra curricular routes. The board wondered how having a different bus company then that of Pecatonica Area School District would affect both districts as they co-op in so many activities. They decided to table the decision until their meeting in May and they are able to get more questions answered.
Action agenda
The board approved:
– the resignation of Baustin Bowers, Elementary Special Education Teacher at the end of the school year.
– awarding of an Honor Cord to a member of the Class of 2026.
– second readings of policy revisions.
– donations: Box of School Supplies from Anonymous Donor for Students in Need; $100 in Memory of Ron Daley for Ole’s Cupboard; $60 from Lynn Rossing for Ole’s Cupboard; $250 from Good Fellas Tavern for Argyle Trap Team; $500 from Pecatonica Booster Club for Girls BB for helping 3 on 3 Tournament; $25 from Sharon Peterson in Memory of Ruth Stamm for Ole’s Cupboard; and $380 from V Voices for Ole’s Cupboard.
– the addition of a new teaching position, hiring Dawson Jacobus as a Spanish, PE, and Health teacher who will have classes at all three levels.
– a 2026-2027 salary increase for teachers and administration of 2.63% percent.