The school board held their October meeting Monday, Oct. 21.
The board approved putting the old Kubota tractor out for bids with a minimum bid of $12,000.
Meeting dates and times were approved for 2025. Third Monday at 7 p.m.
There was a presentation for the 5^th and 6^th grade fall camp from Morna, Don and James Lustig and Nolan Rachel and Grace Rehder and Isaak Shears.
Safety busing was discussed and approved. This is something they have to do every year to pick up students in town.
Superintendent Jon Rehder was approved as a co-signer on the Prairie Elementary account.
The student overnight and out of state issue was discussed. Rehder presented his updated version and it was tabled until next month to let board members review those changes.
A couple other policies were discussed and then tabled until next month.
Policy 3380, extra curricular policy, was brought up by Matt Elven. This is regarding weighted grade and few assignments completed. Elven explained how he handles this when he finds out a student is looking at a low grade. He follows policy. The administrators will look at this and put it on the agenda next month.
A person doing a dissertation and research wants to do an interview focused on superintendent hiring in rural Idaho. Aaron Hinkelman agreed to be interviewed by them.
In the Elementary Principal report, Rehder presented results of the iStation testing for grades K-3.
The first quarter ends this Friday, Oct. 25. The first R3 assembly of the year will also be this Friday.
Parent/Teacher conferences are set for Oct. 29-30. They were moved up to Tuesday and Wednesday due to Halloween falling on Thursday.
A Veteran’s Day assembly is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 11.
The Elementary Christmas Concert is set for Friday, Dec. 20.
In his facilities report Rehder noted the city installed a new water meter at the Elementary School on Oct. 4. Rick Forsmann helped them. It took most of the day due to some unforeseen issues.
He reported they received confirmation that since their 10 year plan was approved in the early stages, they will receive 80% of the funding by the end of the month. The other 20% will come once they pay more bonds down. They will receive $1,360,000 in the first payment. Denise Uhlenkott will put the funds in the treasury pool until needed for projects. The first project will be new windows for the high school. They will likely go out for bids in February or March.
In his superintendent’s report Rehder reported on MANDT training. This is a program that uses continuous learning and development to prevent, de-escalate and if necessary intervene in behavioral interactions with students that could become aggressive. Tori Decaria is providing the 6 hours of hands-on training with several elementary staff, including Rehder, taking the training.
The ISBA convention is Nov. 6-8 in Boise. All board members have plans to attend.
In his report Elven noted the college board national recognition award winners that were pictured in the Chronicle a couple weeks ago.
He reported on the inservice held at PHS on Oct. 4.
He reviewed the new FFA program’s activities. They have been doing very well in competitions so far.
The Junior High drug free party is set for Oct. 10.
The football team was the 2A State Academic Champions.
They are developing a practice field behind the bus barn. Paul Schmidt leveled the field and the junior high and high school football teams picked rocks. They are trying to get it seeded this fall so they can use it next fall.
Volleyball senior night was Oct. 15 with 6 seniors recognized.
The PSAT was administered on Oct. 16 with 32 sophomores and 4 juniors taking the test.
LCSC, U of I, BSU and ISU all recently had representatives visit and meet with interested seniors.
The band has chosen to form a pep band that has and will perform at selected home football and volleyball contests. See photo on page 3.
The band also traveled to Nezperce on Oct. 16 to perform in a mass band made up of area school bands. They also went through a music clinic while there.
They are working with Jeff North in looking into developing a junior high wrestling program.  They are looking at a season from January to March. If interest warrants they will get a program going.
The board adjourned to an executive session at 8:04 p.m. The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.