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School Board meets The School Board held their May meeting Monday, May 18 and approved letters of intent for the certified staff. Normally they would approve contracts but with the mail-in election they won’t know the levy results until after June 2, the deadline to mail in ballots. They also approved a 1% wage hike across the board pending levy approval. Originally they were looking at 2% but backed off to 1% after the governor ordered a 5% cut in school budgets due to decreased state revenues. In other business the board approved hiring Renee Eckert to a 5/7 contract as an English instructor at the Jr./Sr. High School. Superintendent Rene’ Forsmann had someone for the Elementary Special Education teacher but that person backed out so now they need to re-advertise the position. Elementary School secretary and hot lunch coordinator Lynn Rehder submitted her resignation and it was approved. They will now seek a person for the position. They will seek a candidate in-house first and if none forthcoming, advertise the position. Another section of the policy manual was approved with very minor changes. In the facilities report a new item was added. Forsmann is looking into a hearing/air conditioning unit for the elementary music room. Currently that building has the old large shop heater plus a space heater. Funding would come from the forest fund/maintenance account. Forsmann said she looked into getting an early start on the second part of the Elementary roof repair but the firm is quite busy at this time and will start work on the original start date of June 8. In her principal’s report Forsmann said she is preparing class lists and is working on teacher evaluations. She has joined in some of the teachers Zoom meetings and has been impressed by how they are doing. On June 1-2 the buildings will be open to students and parents to check in materials and devices. Report cards and class lists for next year will also be handed out at that time. In her superintendent’s report she noted that Denise Uhlenkott has a budget put together which includes the 5% spending reduction ordered by the governor as well as including passage of the levy. They are looking at an 8% increase in insurance. During April there were 9,252 meals either delivered or picked up from the school. They submitted for a reimbursement of $25,800. They should see a similar number of meals and reimbursement for May. She said they will likely use the money they receive from the federal CARES act to replace/repair/refurbish tech devices. In particular the Chromebooks that have seen much more use due to the online teaching being done. Jon Rehder report the last day for new material will be Friday. Next week will be for testing and completion of work. He went over graduation. It will be at 5 p.m. Friday, May 29 at the football field, rain or shine. The Chronicle will have a map of the after graduation parade route in next week’s paper. Graduation will be live streamed on Facebook and Rehder said he is looking into borrowing Nezperce’s radio transmitter so that the people in the vehicles watching on the visitor side of the football field and others in the area, will be able to tune in to their car radio and hear the ceremony. He has a possible head coach and assistant for junior high football but not confirmed yet. No applicants so far for cheer coach. He is also looking for a concessions manager and assistant. Both Forsmann and Rehder were asked about year-end awards. They said they will be scaled back quite a bit as there won’t be any awards assemblies. Certificates may be handed out when books and devices are turned in. Elementary bicycle winners would need to go pick up their bikes at Rogers Motors. Gus Hoene offered to pick them up and bring them to Cottonwood if need be. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. The next regular meeting would be Monday, July 20 at 7 p.m. |
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