| School
calendar approved
The school calendar for the 2015-16 school year was approved at the January meeting of the school board Wednesday, Jan. 21 at Prairie Jr./Sr. High School. The first day of school would be Monday, August 31, 2015, and the last day would be Friday, June 3, 2016, which will have an early dismissal. No school days would be Monday, Sept. 7 for Labor Day; Friday, Oct. 2 for in-service; Friday, Nov. 6; Wednesday, Nov. 25-Friday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving; Monday Dec. 21 through Friday, Nov. 1 for Christmas Break; Monday, Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King Day; Monday, Feb. 15 for Presidents Day; Friday, March 25 through Friday, April 1 for Spring Break and Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. The first quarter would end on Oct. 30. The second quarter on Jan. 15 and the third quarter on March 24. Parent-teacher conferences are set for Nov. 3-4 and March 22-23. An item receiving discussion was the location of the bus barn. Superintendent Rene’ Forsmann used GoogleEarthtm images to show possible locations and the problems they would have in the football field area. She said over by the state championships sign, which was the first option considered, would have utility access problems. There would be fewer problems if it was located near the American Legion Hall but the best option appeared to be putting it in the northwest corner behind the football fieldhouse along East Street. An added benefit would be they could start on this sooner and not have to wait until the BLM had cleared out their equipment. A detriment is that it would eliminate some parking for football games. Board chairman Gus Hoene pointed out there’s always lots of parking available on the visitor side. A suggestion was made to make it long enough that a ticket booth could be put on the east end. The board agreed that location would be the best option. In related business Forsmann said the city would like to place fill in the area east of the football field. This could eventually clean up and beautify that area. In other business staff resignations were accepted from Bertie Forsmann as a cook and from teacher Krystal Ellis. In the facilities update Forsmann noted they are looking at adding a railing to the sidewalk that leads up the steps to the northwest wing entrance for better handicap access. They are also looking at some roof work at the high school and getting bids on phone systems to upgrade what they have. In her elementary principal report Forsmann reported the Knights of Columbus held their hoop shoot Jan. 15-16. The second quarter ended Jan. 16 and report cards went out Jan. 21. Hunter safety for 5th grade students was to start Jan. 23 and run through Jan. 29. There has been a lot of midyear testing done at the Elementary School. As superintendent she reported that she and Carrie Nygaard are working with the state department to develop a principal evaluation. They attended a meeting Jan. 13-14 in Boise. There was a 2-hour delay to the start of school Jan. 5 due to a snowstorm over the weekend. The 2-hour delay worked well in allowing most of the school bus routes to be plowed. She is continuing to work with teachers on curriculum alignments in math, social studies, science and English. Nygaard reported that Travis Mader traveled to Boise Jan. 17 to accept the VFW State Teacher of the Year award. Drug dogs were to be in the building but that drill had to be cancelled. They are looking at rescheduling. The state safety inspector will be here Jan. 27. Senior projects are going well with seniors busy writing papers in relation to their projects. One senior has completed their paper and presentation already. Financial Aid night was a success with 45 people in attendance. The board adjourned to an executive session for superintendent evaluation at 6:05 p.m. The next meeting of the school board will be Monday, Feb. 16 at 5:30 p.m. |
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