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Board meets
Several resignations were accepted at the January meeting of the school board which was held Wednesday, Jan. 23. Wrestling coach Dan Altman resigned due to personal reasons (not including any health reasons as previously reported). School Counselor Lydia Deiss and shop instructor Jerry Richardson’s resignations were also accepted, effective the end of the school year. The February meeting was moved to Tuesday, Feb. 19, and will be held at the high school starting at 5:30 p.m. Two draft calendars were discussed with the B calendar, which doesn’t have school starting until after Labor Day, was the one that was approved. The comments on the parent surveys were discussed with some changes being eyed. Overall the surveys were very positive. In the facilities update, Superintendent Rene’ Forsmann went over several maintenance items they are looking at. New lights for the elementary school have been quoted at $3,892. This is for 14 perimeter lights at the school. They currently replace about 3 a year with the ballasts alone costing $110 plus labor. New lights have a 5-year warranty and are 10 Watt high output long life LED lights. A motion was made and passed to approve that project. Possible summer projects include fencing at the elementary school, the heating at the high school and the possibility of an elevator at the high school. There was discussion about having surveillance cameras at the Elementary School. They high school already has them. Forsmann said there have been issues with the heating system in the new addition and the recommendation is to replace them while they are still under warranty. The elementary gym heater will also be looked at. In administrative reports Forsmann reported that students who met Accelerated Reader goals enjoyed a big screen movie in the gym on Thursday, Jan. 17. Report cards went out Jan. 23. Students in grade 4 will be taking the NAEP test on Feb. 25. Some will take the Reading portion while others will take the Math portion. Feb. 8 is a scheduled ski day for grades 4-8. The students had to write a persuasive letter giving principal Forsmann reasons why it is a good idea to take a day out of school to go skiing. It was a great writing project. Hunter safety class will be held Feb. 4-11. Notes will go home for permission to attend. Prairie Elementary and Summit Academy will be together for this project. In her superintendent report Forsmann noted that part 1 of the teacher evaluations have been completed. The second part is due June 1 and relates to parental input and use of assessment data. There are two applicants for driver’s education instructor. Carrie Nygaard and Jeff Martin will conduct the interview in about 2 week. 26 people from Cottonwood, Kamiah, Nezperce, Craigmont and Culdesac gathered at Nezperce to give input on a grant that would continue the work in developing lesson plans and assessment materials utilizing the Common Core State Standards. Forsmann also reported on the Governor’s budget request. He is proposing a 2% increase to public schools with no increase in salaries or benefits to state employees. He also supports the repeal of the personal property tax which would mean a loss of about $30,000 to the Cottonwood School District. Information Forsmann has received on this is that 8 companies will see about 60% of the tax relief while the other 40% will be divvied among the remaining 100’s businesses in the state. She also reported she is continuing to work with Malisa Bryant of Ida-Lew Economic Development Council on ideas and possibilities for the old elementary school buildings. They have been talking with DEQ about possible grant money available to assess and remove asbestos in the building. Nygaard reported that seniors are busy writing research papers in relation to their senior projects. A financial aid night was held Jan. 16 with many seniors and their parents completing their FAFSA forms and hearing other pertinent college information. BPA went to a regional competition on Jan. 25. Drama class performed “Anne of Green Gables” Jan. 23. District Honor Band competition was set for Monday, Jan. 28 at Kamiah. The senior class prize drawing will be held at the Feb. 1 basketball game. PHS Knowledge Bowl travels to Spokane Saturday, Feb. 2 for the Northwest Regional Competition. The winning team gets an expense paid trip to the National Science Bowl competition in Maryland. They will also travel to Orofino on Feb. 11 for a regular competition. Friday, Feb. 8 will be PS I Love You Day which was created to bring more awareness to bullying and to help fight against depression and suicide. Students, parents, teachers and friends are encourage to participate. Purple PS I Love You Day t-shirts are available for purchase at $10 each with 30% of the profits going towards an anti-bullying campaign at the school. The board adjourned to an executive session at 6:45 p.m. for superintendent evaluation. They reconvened at 7 p.m. and a motion was made and passed to offer Forsmann an additional year to her contract. The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m. The next regular meeting is set for Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the high school. |
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