By Emily Younker
eyounker@joplinglobe.com
WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Webb City Board of Education on Monday night formally approved its next superintendent of schools and heard from the outgoing superintendent about less-than-rosy budget projections.
Anthony Rossetti, currently superintendent of the Miller School District, will begin his duties as superintendent of the Webb City district in July. He was selected by the board late last month to succeed Ron Lankford, who in November announced his plan to retire in June after 33 years with the district.
Rossetti told the board Monday night that he will spend the next few months preparing for the transition.
“My family and I are very excited to be part of the Webb City team,” he said.
Rossetti already lives in Webb City. He and his wife have two children in the elementary grades in the district.
Lankford discussed with board members the state’s financial situation.
He said that in a worst-case scenario, the district might have to weather a $320,000 withholding of state funds this year.
“It’s not a crippling thing,” he said. “The good thing about our school district right now is that over the years, we’ve tried to live within our means.”
The district ended last year with about $10 million in discretionary funds that could help pad shortfalls in state funding, according to data prepared by Lankford last month. The state is the primary source of revenue for the district, accounting for 52 percent of its funding last year, according to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Lankford said he doesn’t anticipate the need to cut programs or jobs as a result of funding shortfalls.
“But at the same time, we have to be real,” he said. “If we maintain our staff and maintain our programs in this environment, that’s pretty good.”
Lankford said he will help prepare next school year’s budget before he leaves his post June 30.
In other business, the board:
-- Approved the resignations of Bobbie Dykens, principal of Webster Elementary School, and Ashley Buntin, kindergarten teacher at Madge T. James Kindergarten Center. Dykens, a 15-year Webb City teacher and principal at Webster for the past 10 years, plans to retire. Buntin plans to relocate.
-- Approved easements related to the widening of Madison Street and the development of Stadium Drive.
2010-11 school year
The Webb City board on Monday approved the school calendar for 2010-11. School will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 18, and end Friday, May 20.
