Budget Constraints, Registration Dates
Council’s School Board met on July 15 and continued their planning for completing the strategic plan. Board Chair Steve Ryals suggested that administrators and board members meet with a couple teachers and parents in September to finish the process. Ryals mentioned that the budget this year is going to be tighter as they were about $100,000 over budget last year. The School Resource Officer grant is approved and they are working on filling the position with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.
Board member Earl Henderson requested that discussion items be listed out on the agenda so that board members can prepare better for meetings and for transparency with the public. Additionally, the public comment period is before the discussion item time, effectively limiting public comment on these items. However, these are not action items. If they were to be actioned in future meetings there would be time for public comment at that time. Ryals stated that he would make an effort to list these items out on the agenda in the future.
School starts back up on August 20. Registration for the elementary will be August 11-14 with parent-teacher conferences on August 20-21. Registration for the Jr. and Sr. high school is August 12-14.
Interim Superintendent and High School Principal, Brian Joyce continues to be excited about implementing PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports). This year Joyce plans to complete Tier 1 rollout of this program district wide. The entire integration process for PBIS is a phased 5 year rollout, according to Joyce. He also introduced the new Elementary School Principal Leo Fontana who has moved from Buhl.
The district did not receive any bids for snow removal. They will continue to advertise for this work. The district did receive one bid for a bus mechanic from T&A Custom Repairs. T&A currently holds the contract and were awarded this year’s contract as well.
The board is looking at doing some concrete work before school starts. A bid came in from High Mountain/Straitcrete at $68,753 for a total of about 60 yards of concrete and about 2000’ of rebar. The concrete would be for a path between the schools, to help address some rain water run off issues at the elementary school and a pad outside the weight room. The contract was awarded with the condition that the majority of work be completed before school starts.
Lunch prices were increased a few cents across the board. The south bus route was adjusted slightly for safety - turning off Highway 95 at Apple Lane instead of Kilborn. Stop 11 was moved to the pullout off the highway at the Idaho Historical marker.
Lastly, after an executive session, two new teachers were hired. Mesa Ivey will be the third grade teacher and Owen Ivey as middle school teacher.
