The School Board held their June meeting Monday, June 19 and after a short budget hearing approved the budget for the 2023-24 school year.
The also approved the preschool agreement with Erin Shears.
Since the bus they ordered over a year ago won’t arrive until September, David Shears recommended they get a bus for the 2024-25 school year ordered now. The board approved going to bid for a new bus for the 2024-25 school year.
They had 3 applicants for the Elementary Cook position. Debbie Schmidt was hired for the position. The board approved the hire.
The open enrollment policy was updated and approved by the board. This is to bring their policy in line with the new state law on open enrollment. It also puts limits on availability. Superintendent Jon Rehder put in 18 students per teacher at the Elementary level. With 2 teachers in each grade, they would have available slots for open enrollment if the grade level has less than 36 students already enrolled. Open enrollment requests have to be made in January for the following school year.
Matt Elven reported that Erika Shears has been hired as the new 8^th grade volleyball coach and Marlene Forsmann as the new 7^th grade coach. They will need a new high school JV coach to replace Shears.
The new IDLA coordinator is Jennifer Enneking. They will now need a paraprofessional at the high school to fill Enneking’s former position.
The new cheerleader advisor is Whitney Wonderlich.
Jordan Buller will be a new football volunteer assistant.
Linda Kaschmitter has been hired as the new concessions manager.
Elven also reported that ASB elections were held for the upcoming school years. President is Taylor Riener. VP is Elizabeth Severns. Secretary is Harlee Brannan. Treasurer is Meghan Fowler. Spirit leaders are Aubree Rehder, Lexi Schumacher and Grace Uhlenkott.
Jarrett Nuxoll has arranged to have 4 tig welders to be donated by LCSC to the school shop program. LCSC also donated about $2,000 worth of pipe.
Summer sports activities include the Dusk Til Dawn Volleyball Tournament which starts this Friday evening and concludes Saturday morning. The SpikeFrog Volleyball Camp is going on this week and concludes on Thursday.
Chearleading open gym skills practice was held last week.
The Prairie Track & Field Club held practices twice a week from June 5-19 and hope to attend 1 or 2 AAU sanctioned meets this summer.
Girls basketball has held open gyms on Mondays and will conclude next Monday. Summer League play has been at LCSC on Tuesdays and concluded June 20. The LCSC Team Tournament was held this past weekend.
Football attended the Montana Tech Camp June 9-11, They will have summer field workouts on Wednesdays starting this Wednesday and concluding July 7.
The soccer co-op with Grangeville have been holding pickup games on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Grangeville. Summer Camp is July 10-14 at Grangeville.
Boys basketball has had open gyms on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Summer League goes through June 29. College of Idaho Team Camp was last week.
Jon Rehder reported the new class lists for 2023-24 are complete and students got to visit their new classroom and teachers on May 31.
He reported on several end of year field trips and events.
The art program received a $15,000 grant and part of it went to the music program to repair broken instruments and buy a couple of xylophones for the Elementary level.
In his facilities report Rehder noted the contractor started work on the new classroom addition last Wednesday.
Rick Forsmann took the sod that was where the new classroom addition will be and repurposed it to other places that needed it.
In his superintendent’s report he said he attended superintendent’s meetings in Boise June 8-9.
The city contacted the school about grading and adding mag chloride to the street that goes around the Elementary School. Two neighbors behind the school paid for their sections and the school paid for the rest which amounted to $813. He figures it is money well spent as it will cut down on dust and make the road last longer.
The levy passed with a 72% approval.
The new floor scrubbers had some issues with a technician coming in to fix them on the 15^th.
He reported on the educational withholding the governor is talking about. Rehder doesn’t feel it would have much effect on our district whether the school is based on enrollment or average daily attendance as we get great attendance numbers.
He talked about key fob use for the gyms. They are having an issue with people turning them back in when they are done. He said they are thinking of raising the deposit from $10 to $50. The fobs can be turned off by computer so there is really nothing to be gained by keeping a fob.
Rick Forsmann and David Shears rewired a couple of outlets on the gym wall at the high school for the new shot clocks. They will be placed behind the baskets on each end.
He noted that patrons have until Tuesday, June 27 at noon to submit bids for the surplus equipment.
The board adjourned at 7:52 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Monday, July 17 at 7 p.m.