| New
high school principal named
Randy Brown, currently the principal at Salmon River High School in Riggins, was approved as the new Prairie High School principal at the May school board meeting held Monday, May 17. There were 9 applicants for the position and Brown scored the best with the interviewing team. The board also approved Lori Mader as the new girls varsity basketball coach. There were 3 applicants for this position after the board decided not to retain Rusty Lorentz in the position. Mader had asked that Sarah Walsh be retained as JV coach. In other business the board approved Schacher Construction as apparent low bidder for both the Middle School kitchen reconstruction project and for the gym annex project. Schacher’s bid for the kitchen project was $154,207 and for the gym annex $261,071. In addition there will be asbestos abatement done before the middle school kitchen project is started. That cost comes to $4,548. Superintendent Gary Blaz said he has also approved the company doing the asbestos abatement to do an Asbestos Management Plan for the district. This cost is $1,513. He saw the need for this when they were doing the high school gym floor asbestos abatement and they found the record books in the superintendent’s office had not been kept up to date. The board decided not to award the high school shop storage building project. They feel there are other, less expensive ways that will do the job. Blaz said he also feels they won’t need as much storage space as initially though as a lot of the stuff currently in the basement storage room for the shop is just junk that can be discarded. Presnell & Gage was approved as the auditor. Their bid was $6,835 for this year and increase of 2% over last year’s $6,700 cost. Two job positions were approved for termination as part of the proposed budget cuts for the coming year. Gordon Talley, elementary school custodian, and Susie Bunt, Region 2 professional technical academy coordinator. Bunt’s position was dropped more due to state fund reductions in that program. Kyler Shumway resigned as grounds keeper effective June 18. They will offer the position to staff first and if no interest will advertise. In administrative reports Todd Shumway reported they have started cleaning out the basement. He also reported the baseball team is the 1-A State Academic Champions for highest cumulative team grade point average in the division. ISAT testing has been completed and scores are being reviewed. Last day for seniors will be May 26 with Senior Appreciation Day set for May 27. Graduation is May 28 at 7 p.m. 8th grade class tour is set for June 1. they will receive their class schedules and meet the teachers. Rene’ Forsmann also reported that ISAT testing is done and that the Middle School students scored very well. Mars Rover competition was held April 30 with 7 students going to Moscow to compete. Middle School election primaries were held to narrow candidates down to 2 for each office. Elections will be June 1. Blaz reported on a variety of student activities. He wants to note that there will be an early out at 1:30 on the last day of school, which is June 4. As superintendent he has been getting levy information out to the newspapers and patrons. He has been working on verifying evaluations and contracts for all staff; completing legal documents for terminations; worked on a basketball termination and hiring process; completing his IDLA board responsibilities and attended superintendent meetings in Lewiston The board adjourned to an executive session at 8:45 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, June 21, at 7 p.m. |
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