(KNZA)--The South Brown County USD 430 Board of Education marked their first meeting of the new year last Wednesday evening by seating a new member and approving the schedule for the next school year. 

Jeremy Forkenbrock officially joined the board, after winning election last November to position 4.  Board President Jason Selland welcomed him aboard.  

Under the 2026-27 calendar approved by the board, the first day of school will be August 13 and the last of classes will be May 20, 2027.  Spring break will be held March 15-21.  

In other business, the board accepted the resignation of maintenance director Austin Lovelady, effective January 23. 

In addition, the board approved changing how activity bus drivers are paid. Instead of a flat $16 an hour, drivers will go back to a split rate. They’ll now earn about $22 an hour while driving—and $12 an hour during 'sit time'—an increase from the previous $10 rate.