At the December 4, 2019 Chatfield School Board meeting, all board members were present along with Lorri Lowrey, administrative assistant and Krista O’Connor, business manager. Also present were Superintendent Ed Harris and Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson.
Board members were given an audit report from Andrew Forliti of Smith and Schafer Associates. The audit was a clean modified report with no concerns. It was noted that the number of students has decreased, which results in lower funding from the state. Expenditures from the reserve were about $320,000, but the fund balance is still healthy. The board approved the report.
Superintendent Ed Harris gave the Truth and Taxation report and the final levy of $2,990,784.43 was approved by the board for 2020. Compared to last year’s levy, next year’s levy is .15% less. Next, the WBWF (World’s Best Work Force) report was presented by Superintendent Harris and Principals Shane McBroom and Randy Paulson. This report is a summary of academic goals and outcomes that must be approved by the board and submitted to the state. In all categories the district has met goals or were very close to targeted goals and the report was approved by the board.
Under board reports, Matt McMahon reported that the negotiation committee had met and that it went very well. He also reported that the meet and confer committee has started work on next year’s school calendar. Board member Katie Priebe stated that the activities committee had met and were discussing fund raising activities with coaches. Amy Jeffers said that at her HVED meeting, a new flyer for parents of students with special needs is available now.
Principal Paulson informed the board that an ad hoc committee had looked at the expansion of the “down/off” list to include other extracurricular organizations other than just athletics. The “down/off” list determines academic eligibility of students in grade 7-12. Since many students now have “smart watches” that are like wearing a phone on your wrist, they will be considered a phone and must adhere to the cell phone rules in the high school.
At the elementary school, Shane McBroom said the grade four through six holiday concert and Grandfriends Day will be on Thursday, December 5 from 1-3 p.m. starting with bingo and ending with a musical concert. The Masonic Lodge will be at the elementary on December 20 to present bikes to students who have earned a chance to win a bike for the number of steps they read through the Action 100 reading program. On November 25 the students were treated to magician Curtis Hed as a reward for positive behavior. Whenever the “Tower” is full of good behavior tickets the students receive a reward. The magician’s message was “Everyone is important,” “Always be kind,” and “Practice kindness.”
Superintendent Harris thanked Mike Tuohy for filling the board vacancy since March of 2019 and welcomed the new board member, Rick Lowrey, who was elected to the position for a one-year term. Under building matters, he reported that the front wall will be completed in December and that the new lockers for the girls’ locker room will be installed before the end of the year. Under school safety, Harris reported that there is money available from the state to offer supportive programming to use for training, field trips, and other opportunities to facilitate a more inclusive culture.
Under consent items the board approved the meeting minutes for November 12, 2019, the resignation of junior varsity volleyball coach Kathy Bernard and the listing for this position.
Under action items, a resolution to discontinue and reduce programs and positions was approved. Also approved was a resolution to authorize the superintendent to execute contracts and enter into agreements on behalf of the school for a grant by the Department of Human Services for Life Skills Training. This grant is for a social/emotional learning based curriculum to promote positive mental health and prevent substance abuse. The last action item was the acceptance and oath of office for new board member, Rick Lowrey. He will fulfill the last year of Jerry Chase’s term and will be up for re-election in 2020.
The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting will be January 8, 2020, in the forum room at the high school.
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