EPHRATA — The Ephrata School Board conducted a meeting Dec. 16, welcoming new leadership and providing updates on the district’s transportation levy.  

During the session, Jim Adams was appointed as Board Chair from his former position as vice chair.  

Josh Sainsbury will now serve as vice chair. 

Mike Fleurkens was designated as Legislative Representative, which he used to co-chair with Anita Waller, prior to her resignation. He will now chair the position alone. 

Superintendent Ken Murray will continue in his role as board secretary.  

The board also kept both Ephrata High School students, Charles Flynn and Roberto Araujo, as student representatives for the upcoming semester. 

There is still a vacancy on the board following the resignation of Waller in November. Applications for the open position will be accepted until Jan. 3, 2024, at 3 p.m., inviting community members to participate in the governance of the local education system. 

Transportation

Allison Razey, the district's Director of Business and Finance, provided an update regarding the Transportation Levy approved by voters in 2022. The district has successfully received nearly $579,000 of the $600,000 allocated from the levy, which has enabled the purchase of four new school buses.  

Ephrata School District Communications Director Sarah Morford said two buses were purchased last school year and two this year.  

“We expected those buses to come in around $600,000,” Morford said. “They actually came in about $100,000. More than that. So the district had to make up the difference in the funds.” 

The district plans to address this deficit through its depreciation fund. 

Coffee or Cocoa

Additionally, an informal drop-in session titled "Coffee or Cocoa with Ken" is planned for Jan. 22 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Bookery Cafe, offering residents a relaxed opportunity to discuss levy-related questions directly with the superintendent. 

More information on this event is to come soon, according to Morford.