| Kress
submits resignation
Stan Kress submitted a letter of resignation effective June 30, 2007, at the January meeting of the school board held Wednesday, Jan. 17 at the high school library. The letter is printed below. The board accepted the resignation after thanking Kress for his 12 years of service. They then discussed the possibility of a part-time superintendent as other area schools have done. The board also accepted the resignation of high school teacher Joe Scarano, who is resigning as of the end of this school year. Kress reported it looks like there won’t be any Craig-Wyden funds after this year. He said some are still pushing for these funds but he feels if it does pass it will be at a lower level. This is the last year of paying for the elementary gym and other improvements that those funds were used for. Kress also reported that he has nothing to hand out yet on Governor Otter’s budget. He said Otter’s looking at $3 billion for education. It is currently $1.1 billion but most of the difference probably will be covering the property tax relief passed a few months ago. New State Superintendent of Schools Tom Luna’s budget was to be presented on Thursday. Regarding the water problem under the high school gym, the company that did the study feels the current drainage system is no longer working. Bids are being let for a project to, hopefully, fix the problem. The board was reminded that next month’s meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 21, at the Middle School and March’s meeting will be the 19th at the Elementary School. In administrative reports, Greg Deiss reported the floor has been repaired in Urban Wassmuth’s room. The gym schedule is busy every night and weekends. Hoop shoots were held last week with Shayla VonBargen and Brandon Higgins as the winners. The previous Tuesday, Elementary school children were at the girls’ basketball game, cheering and supporting them. Students have been collecting pull tabs for Ronald McDonald House. Testing starts next week with Idaho Reading Indicator and Dibbles. The new dishwasher was installed. They have 7 new guitars for the music program. There has been a lot of illness with 26 out Jan. 16 and 20 out on the 17th. They received 1 new student over winter break. Rene’ Forsmann reported 4 students moved away but they received 2 new ones as well. They also had a lot of illness with 15 out on the 16th and 7 on the 17th. Their gym schedule is also very busy with 3 groups each night. She voiced appreciation to those who take care of the gym. On January 8th the Knowledge Bowl team took second at their meet. Forsmann announced they are accepting “Box Tops For Education” at the Middle School. In testing she reported grades 5-8 are taking the language test from the old testing company. Testing in the spring will be with the new company. On Jan. 19 the Middle School had a ski day scheduled at the Butte. They had a wrestling meet on the 20th and also the hoop shoot on that day. A gun safety course is set for Jan. 29-Feb. 1. Dave Snodgrass reported the PeeWee basketball currently has no gym available as they are all busy. Summit is using the gym this week and next at the high school for games. Something new for the high school will be started. They will have an attendance drawing. If the person drawn is present they can got a $5 cash prize plus something else. Snodgrass reported the gym floor hasn’t had too many humps lately and the high spots aren’t near as bad as they have been. The Winter Ball is set for Saturday, Jan. 27, with the boys game against Highland moved up to the afternoon that day. PHS was to host the Knowledge Bowl on Monday, Jan. 22. He reported that as of the meeting, the girls had 4 games left with Senior Night set for Jan. 29. The boys have 7 games left. Girls district starts Jan. 31. PHS will host the District Wrestling Tournament on Feb. 17. The high school blood drive will be Feb. 20. Jan. 24 will be ski day for the high school The board adjourned to an executive session at 7:50 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the Middle School Library with a social hour to start at 6:15 p.m. Kress' resignation letter Members of the School Board, I find this a very difficult letter to write. As with every life changing moment, I feel a sadness in leaving friends and a community which have welcomed and supported me during my tenure as Superintendent of the Prairie Schools, but I also look forward to a new adventure where I can enjoy more leisure time and a pursuit of activities that have been put aside for those “later years”. It is with this in mind that I respectfully submit my intention to retire at the end of this school year on June 30, 2007. I want to thank you, as a school board, for your support and professionalism, and for your unwavering commitment to the students and staff of our school district. On a personal note, I would like to thank you and my colleagues for your guidance and friendship during my 12 years as Superintendent of the Cottonwood School District. I would also like to thank the students and their parents; it has been a joy to know them and to be included as a part of a community of caring, fun loving people. I am very proud of the accomplishments we have achieved during my 12 years as Superintendent. With the help of many people and organizations, we have installed new ceilings and energy efficient windows and lighting at the High School. Recently, new bleachers were installed in the gym, and a new football field with lights and a sprinkler system that works was completed. The Middle School has new windows, bleachers, lights, handicapped accessibility for the disabled, a new sprinkler system, and one wing of the school has a new heating system. The Elementary School has two new first grade classrooms, and a new modern gym to replace the old metal building, a remodeled Kindergarten building with a new music center, and new ceilings and lighting and windows have been added throughout. All three buildings got new, modern Fire Alarm systems following a Safety Violation. It took us three years, but we got them all done before they were needed. All of the buildings have been newly painted and new roofs have been constructed where needed. With the city’s new water system and our new well, the grass is green again on our playgrounds. All of this has been done without tax increases to our patrons. In the classrooms, the changes have been even more dramatic. Principals, Teachers, and Aides have worked hard, with very few rewards, and the success they have achieved with student learning has been phenomenal. Student test scores on the Idaho Standards Achievement Test have been among the top 2% of both the State of Idaho and the Nation as a whole. We have truly met the mandate of “No Child Left Behind”. It has been my privilege to be a part of our student’s successes, and I feel a true sense of accomplishment, regarding the improvements to our school buildings and property. I wish you continued success in your role as leaders of our community and schools, and I want to thank you again for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful place to live for the past 12 years. I will miss the Camas Prairie and the people of the Cottonwood School District. Sincerely, Stan Kress Superintendent |
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