The Kingsland School Board met October 17 in regular session, with all members present: Doug Plaehn, Deb Larson, Kristin Beck, Troy Asher, Gwen Howard and Ann Oeltjen, along with Superintendent John McDonald. The board unanimously approved the consent agenda items, including first and second readings of a number of policies, and two resignations (Heather Glaser and Elizabeth Connor). The board then OK’d the hiring of Elaine Boone as full-time custodian (Howard and Beck abstained). Next, the board heard public thanks given by Superintendent McDonald. He acknowledged Sharon Schmidt, Anna Krahn, Leah Stier, Ashlee Falck, Ann Priebe, Sarah Milnar and Justin Milnar for volunteering their help recently with the hearing and vision screenings. He also thanked the Salvation Army for their annual donation of $800 to the school milk program. The board also heard an update on FFA activities from three FFA students.
McDonald informed the board that Kingsland participates in high school wrestling through the GMLOKS cooperative. But because Kingsland only has one high school wrestler, and because GMLOKS is placed in a competitive class based on overall enrollment of all the schools within the cooperative, it is not making sense for Kingsland to continue in the cooperative with such low participation. He explained that if the board votes to drop from the cooperative, the one wrestler from Kingsland would be able to continue wrestling on the GMLOS team through his junior AND senior seasons, but no other students from Kingsland could join up. The board voted unanimously to drop from the cooperative (and drop wrestling) as proposed. McDonald also said that if/when Kingsland has more students interested in wrestling, the GMLOS cooperative would be happy to welcome Kingsland back into the wrestling cooperative. Gwen Howard pointed out that Kingsland could look into selling any wrestling mats, rather than having them sit unused and aging.
Leah Stier then addressed the board on behalf of the Kingsland School Parents (KSP) group. She reported that at KSP’s most recent meeting (October 12), “After hearing a referendum presentation from Mr. McDonald and school board members Deb Larson and Kristin Beck, KSP motioned and approved support of the upcoming referendum. KSP is also purchasing marketing materials, in the form of yard signs and banners that will read ‘Vote Yes for Kingsland Kids’.” She said anyone interested in having such a sign in their yard may contact KSP.
Leslie Schmidt spoke to the board on behalf of the Kingsland Athletic Booster Club. She said the club asks the board to consider approving installation of two “stat panels” onto one of the gym scoreboards. The panels would show points scored and fouls for individual players. She shared that many others school have such panels, and although the panels would cost $7,500 plus another $600 for installation, the entire cost would be paid by the Booster Club. The board unanimously OK’d this.
Gwen Howard gave an update on the Finance/Facilities/Personnel committee, which met on October 10, and Deb Larson gave a recap of the Policy/PR/Curriculum committee meeting of October 6. Superintendent McDonald then gave a summary of the World’s Best Workforce advisory committee, which met September 27. He also asked the board to consider a one-year agreement with Austin’s Alternative Learning Center (ALC) to allow Kingsland to offer Targeted Services. He explained that after the one-year agreement, Kingsland will have an ALC in place, and will no longer need such an agreement. The board unanimously approved this. McDonald also informed the board that Kingsland will receive a Rural Utilities Services (RUS) grant, and because of that, “We will be receiving $12,000 worth of telecommunications equipment shortly.” He also shared the various means that Kingsland is using to educate the public about the upcoming operating and building referendum.
Business Manager Amber Uhlenhake gave a budgetary update, and said through three months, “Nothing is really off the grid.” She also shared that the FY16 audit is about 98% completed, and more info will be shared at the November meeting. The board set a special meeting on November 14 at 5:30 p.m. to adopt the resolution canvassing the results of the election. The next regular meeting of the board will be November 21 at 6:30 p.m.