Canton Board of Education

The Canton R-V Board of Education met on April 14, 2025 in the Canton R-V Library Media Center Conference Room for the reorganization of the Board of Education. Mrs. Taylor Fahser and Dr. Chad DeWaard were given the oath of office and the Board of Directors held the annual election of officers. Mrs. Susie Biggerstaff was elected as president, Jake Schaefer was elected vice-president, Lacy Spurgeon was elected secretary, and Larry Arnold was elected treasurer. The Board adjourned the reorganizational meeting and entered into the regular business meeting immediately after.
The following items were discussed in the consent agenda: meeting minutes, transfers, amendments, building principal reports, attendance, lunch, and safety reports. Following the consent agenda, the Board authorized the payment of the monthly bills.
Superintendent Uhlmeyer presented the monthly financial report to the Board of Education.
Balances are as of March 31.The balance in Funds 10-60 was $4,833,350.89. This is a $5,202,455.54 decrease from the previous fiscal year that was anticipated due to bond repayments and ELC construction expenses.
The total balance Funds 10-20 was $2,924,351.95. This is a $737,927.77 decrease over the previous fiscal year. Most of this decrease can be attributed to the deposit of ESSER related funds in FY24. An in-depth analysis of Funds 10-20 Object Codes 61xx – Salaries and 62xx – Benefits will be discussed during the financial report.
The unrestricted balance in Fund 10 was $2,835,784.65, which was an increase of $17,735.47 from the previous fiscal year.
In reports, the Board was provided updates on the following:  Health Services report provided by Nurse Courtney Brennan. Legislative Update provided by Superintendent Uhlmeyer. ELC Update provided by Superintendent Uhlmeyer.
In current business, the Board took action on the following items: Approved the 2025-2026 Certified Salary Schedule with a $1,000 increase to the base salary. The base salary for the 2025-2026 school year will be $40,000. Approved a 3.0 percent increase for 2025-2026 Classified Staff hourly wages. Approved the District LAU Plan. Approved a distribution from the Scholarship Approve refund of M&M Surcharge Tax overpayment to Lewis County
During executive session, the Board discussed the following: Personnel. The Board accepted the following resignations: Alayna Gutierrez for HS ELA; Kerry Cole – ECSE paraprofessional; Shelby Lain – National Honor Society; Katrina Schaefer – National Honor Society; Jensen Vratney – JH Softball;  Amy Baker – JH Cheer; The Board approved offering contracts to the following: Bennet Sutter – HS History; Autumn Lowmax – HS ELA; Madison Covey – 5th grade ELA/History; Melissa Feldkamp – 5th grade Math/Science
Summer school contracts were approved for the following: Jensen Vratney; Carie Logsdon; Ashlie Weaver; Heather Hinton; Katie Elder; Angie Hultz; Alex Murphy; Kara Ruffcorn; Morgan Melton; Ashley Knapp; Kris Brown; Amber Brown; Heather Feldkamp; Anita Taylor; Michele Gnuse; Clint Smith; Melissa Feldkamp; James Dent; Beth Anderson; Sarah Mueller
Summer work agreements were approved for the following: Michelle Shaffer; Pam Martz, Tami McCullough, Patti Hudnall, Nikki Savage, BreeAnna Kaylor, Cora Shaffer
The Board was also notified that there may be some internal movement of teachers for the 2025- 2026 school year based on experience, certification, and need. These decisions will be made by the building principals as needed.