(KAIR)--Just one week after working overtime to pass the school finance bill, Democratic State Representative Jerry Henry took time out of his busy schedule to meet with the USD 377 School Board during their meeting Monday night. Joel Hardy has more.

Henry was visiting with each school district in his area to discuss his thoughts on the bill, and to answer any questions local educators may have for him.
Superintendent Steve Wiseman says Henry took his time to explain each part of the bill to the board. He walked them through some of the financial implications as well as what, in his opinion, the policy portion of the bill will have on schools.

Wiseman adds that if the bill is signed by Governor Sam Brownback, the district would not gain additional funding, but would keep key programs that effect a good majority of its students. He says they are very happy legislators did not take away any transportation funding or high risk weighting from the district. This was a concern, especially when about 43 percent of the district received free Lunch. This turns into a significant amount of money when you consider the orginal plan of state legislators, which was to cut $63,000 from transportation and $70,000 from the at risk weighting.

In other business, the board extended the contract of Junior/Senior High School Principal Deanna Scherer through the 2015-2016 school year.

Also, Cy Wallisch was offered a two year contract to continue as Elementary School Principal. Wallisch has been serving in that capacity on a temporary basis since former Principal Lisa Brookover resigned last December.