COULEE DAM — The Grand Coulee Dam School District board Monday night accepted two resignations, made five hires and agreed to two changes in assignments.

Resignations were accepted from Jolee Slaven, a para-educator from the elementary school; and Stephanie Baldwin, first grade teacher.

New hires include Phyllis Melberg, assistant cook and kitchen custodian; Ron Knighten, three-hour bus driver position; Frank Whittington, three-hour bus driver; Paul Turner, junior high assistant principal; and Angie Redstar, LRHS volleyball assistant coach.

Cathy Huston has been named director of special programs. Kim Stanger was named coordinator of Native American programs.

The board of directors passed its $10,524,407 2015-16 budget. That was approximately $900,000 more than its 2014-15 budget and more than $1.5 million higher than the year earlier.

Three school buses were declared surplus by the school board Monday night:

• a 1997 Blue Bird 72-passenger bus, with an estimated value of $1,000;

• a 2007 E450 Ford, 30-passenger bus, with an estimated value of $500; and

• a 2007 E450 Ford, with a 13-passenger capacity and an estimated value of $750. A 13-passenger bus won’t be available until September, officials stated.

The school district’s capital project that included the new school complex has only one thing remaining to be done before it is completed. Superintendent Dennis Carlson informed the board of directors that workers have yet to put up snow stops on the gym roof which will prevent snow from sliding down on visitors to the gym. He said he expected that to be done soon. He reported that the district has sold one of the old portables used at the high school for $1,000. He also stated that some surplus art department articles have also been sold.

NESPELEM — The Nespelem School Board approved the district’s 2015-16 budget Monday, including general funds of $3,638,711 and a capital projects budget of $122,320.

The school has not so far received applicants for open teacher positions, Principal Debra Panke told the board.

New district Superintendent Rich Stewart attended his first board meeting on his first day of work and negotiated an extension of a support contract with North Central Educational Services District for payroll services.

The board approved his request for the approximately $1,800-per-month deal after he explained that the district’s new business manager will have much on her plate as she takes over other ESD functions this fall. The month-to-month extension will be ended after that. The district plans to hire a new payroll clerk, a function previously performed by the ESD.

Panke said the summer school has seen an average of 20-22 students attending.