James A. Schobert

The meeting covered several business items, including the approval of invoices and a 2016-2017 budget supplement for the Special Education and Capital Outlay funds. Administrative reports provided updates on a school entrance construction project, upcoming professional conventions, and ongoing discussions regarding background check policies and innovative career pathways for high school students. The board also focused on strategic planning, soliciting and discussing individual board member perspectives on the desired attributes and skills for students graduating from the district.

The board conducted its annual organizational meeting, which included the election of a president and vice president. The session featured agenda amendments, approval of a conflict of interest waiver, and the authorization of financial items such as bills, claims, and debt service payments. Significant updates were provided regarding summer facility construction, including the status of elementary school projects and upcoming open houses. Additionally, the board discussed school transportation registration, enrollment projections, academic calendar dates, and ongoing reviews of board policies.

The meeting addressed financial items including bills, claims, and quarterly financial reports. Administrative updates covered the release of public report cards, strategic plan evaluations, and the critical nature of free and reduced meal applications. Notable items included the National Blue Ribbon School recognition for Fred Asam Elementary and a one-year construction delay for the new elementary school project. Discussion also centered on enrollment figures and a revised budget plan, which included leaving specific staff positions unfilled to manage deficits resulting from lower-than-anticipated student numbers.

The meeting included a presentation on project-based learning at the middle school, emphasizing its real-world application, increased student engagement, and the integration of career-focused concepts like budgeting and checkbook management. The superintendent provided updates on the legislative session, the timeline for elementary school construction, and the status of competitive bids. Additionally, the Board discussed a significant reduction in Title I funding due to census-based changes in poverty rates, which will necessitate staff reductions. Other topics covered included the teacher negotiation schedule, the upcoming budget process, and a booster club initiative for an outdoor athletic video board, which will be structured as a direct purchase by the school district to leverage tax exemptions.

The meeting included a review of financial items, specifically the approval of bills and claims and an examination of the financial reports. Key construction updates were provided regarding the new elementary school project, including budget and timeline status, as well as the execution of a park expense agreement. The board discussed the upcoming elementary school boundary committee process and timeline. Additionally, the superintendent provided updates on the district's COVID-19 pandemic response, specifically addressing challenges with close contact identification protocols at the middle and high school levels and potential future considerations for designating staff as essential workers to manage staffing shortages.