The Williston School Board increased classified staff salaries and some teacher contracts were extended during its regular meeting Tuesday evening.

As bussing and maintenance was identified as the most immediate need at a recent subcommittee meeting of the Finance Committee, the board voted in favor of increasing the hourly wages for the custodial, maintenance and bus driving positions by $2 an hour. All other classified salaries were raised by 25 cents. This brings classified salaries to just under $12 per hour.

The additional cost to the district as a result of the salary adjustments is approximately $90,000, board President Dave Hanson said.

"At this point, that's about as much as we feel comfortable doing," he said.

It was stated the district needs to fill three bus driver positions and several custodial positions. Williston High School Principal Chris Kittelson requested some extended salaries for eight teachers, giving each teacher an extra period per day. This change costs the district the equivalent of hiring an additional staff member, or between $30-35,000 said Interim Superintendent Dr. Kent Hjelmstad.

"We know we have 83 new students, we should try to serve them," Hjelmstad said.

Meanwhile, Susan Brokaw, who was appointed to the board at its Aug. 26 meeting and is serving out the term of David Robinson until an election is held in June of 2010, signed an oath and was officially appointed to the board.

Kim Egge was elected as vice president of the board.

Upon the recommendation of Egge, the board appointed Jeremy Mehlhoff as interim assistant principal at Wilkinson Elementary School.

"He was very upbeat; I was very impressed," said Egge.

Via speakerphone, North Dakota School Board Association Executive Director Dr. Jon Martinson spoke to the board about a community input survey. Martinson also discussed which questions should be asked of a potential candidate for the superintendent position and a few questions he feels should not be asked.

It was stated within a week, the board hopes to develop some interview questions.

It was also agreed upon by the board that it would like to hold superintendent candidate interviews at a time when the community is able to attend. This means the interviews most likely would happen in the evening.

Martinson is coordinating the superintendent search for the district and said there are four applicants for the position, but only two have completed their applications. The deadline for applications is Nov. 15.

In other matters, Hjelmstad stated Hagan Elementary was chosen by the U.S. Department of Education as a "Blue Ribbon School."

"This is quite an honor, it's quite unusual to be chosen," said Hjelmstad.

Three students representing Hagan were present to accept an official seal honoring their school for this achievement.

A celebration regarding this honor is at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 at Hagan Elementary School.

In regard to the issue of the hockey club debt that's owed to the district, Finance Committee subcommittee Chair Malcolm Pippin recommended to the board that it further study the issue before making a decision. With three new board members, the subcommittee needs to fill in all members on the matter and is going to come to the board with a recommendation at the board's next meeting.

In other business, the board voted in favor of a recommendation from Egge to change the school board meeting time to 5:15 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. This goes into effect in November, as the North Dakota Administrative Conference interferes with the next upcoming third Thursday time slot.

The next regular school board meeting is at 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at the district office. The next meeting of the Finance, Personnel and Curriculum Committees is set for Oct. 7.