| Enrollment
up at Prairie Schools
Despite a much bigger graduating senior class than incoming Kindergarten class, enrollment is up at Prairie schools over last year as reported at the school board meeting Monday, Sept. 20. There are 421 students enrolled at Prairie schools compared to 413 at this time last year. The elementary school is showing the most increase as they have 132 students compared to the 119 projected last June. The increase of 6 students in the 4th grade alone prompted the district to return to two full fourth grade classes instead of the split afternoon schedule previously planned. Under agenda items the Federal Jobs Bill was approved. The district is slated to get $52,561 with 18 months to spend it. As yet they have not received the funds and will not disburse it until they do. Extended contracts were approved for Sheri Daly and Denise Uhlenkott. Daly has 180 students online for Health Profession Classes, necessitating the extension. Lynn Rehder gave a food services report. No price increases are needed at this time and they can even offer seconds to the students. The new kitchen at the Middle School is working very well. School and district report cards were reviewed and approved. They are available on the school district website. Jack Duman from the Cottonwood City Council appeared with a request to get the quit claim deeds done for the property on the east side of East Street. Paperwork was started some time ago but never completed and it needs to be deeded before the city can proceed with a sidewalk grant application. The board asked to have it reviewed by the district’s attorney. A motion was made and passed to have it approved pending the attorney’s approval. Three recommendations for hire were approved. Tessica Nuxoll was approved for the Center for Discovery, Heather North for the GEAR UP program and Joe Biltz for the Medicaid funds aide. Fund transfers from the insurance fund to the general fund that were part of the budget were approved. A motion was made and passed to approve the 6th grade students attend the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS). They have been doing this for several years and the County funds it. Regarding the Child Internet Protection act, board members were informed that the district is following the federal guidelines. Students are protected and blocked if on something they shouldn’t be on. A question came up about Summit students participating in Prairie sports. High School principal Randy Brown stated in sports like football that aren’t offered at Summit, they only add the student participating to the Prairie enrollment, not the entire high school aged enrollment from Summit, it being a private school located within the district. In administrative reports Greg Diess reported the open house went well at the Elementary School with about 75% of parents and students attending. They are looking at changing the monthly attendance award to something less expensive than a bicycle. Maybe a super backpack loaded with fun and useful items. They will also continue the lunch with the principal program. The Center For Discovery’s cookie dough fundraiser started on Monday. The book fair didn’t generate near the revenue it has in the past. They are planning another one later in the fall. Rene’ Forsmann reported they have 27 out for junior high football with 2 of those from Summit. This is out of 37 boys in the 7th and 8th grades. For girls basketball there are 25 students either playing or taking stats out of 31 girls in the 7th and 8th grades. In her superintendent’s report Forsmann reported the high school annex is fully functional. The middle school kitchen is also fully functional. She is planning the NICI Appreciation barbecue, which is set for Sept. 29 from 11:30 to 2:30. In the high school report, Brown said he and Amy Sigler have been learning things together as both are new at the high school. He reported out of 153 students currently enrolled at the high school that 46% of those are participating in either volleyball, football or cheerleading. This doesn’t count those in band, academic bowl or other activities. He also reported that the Homecoming football game against Lapwai has been moved to Thursday, Oct. 7 and will follow the JV game. The volleyball match against Kamiah scheduled for that date has been moved up to Monday, Oct. 4. Brown also reported that his wife, Candi, has volunteered to help keep the district website update. Any mistakes/changes that need to be made, contact him and he’ll pass the information to her. The board adjourned at 8:30 p.m. and took a tour of the new construction at the high school. The next regular meeting will be Monday, October 18, at 7 p.m. |
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