| School
enrollment is down
Enrollment is down by 19 students this year at Prairie Schools as reported at the September meeting of the school board Monday, Sept. 15. The high school enrollment is down 2 at 152, the middle school is down 5 at 134 and the elementary school is down 12 at 134. That was the only regular item on a short agenda. In administrative reports Rene’ Forsmann reported they served 225 people at their open house/book fair on Sept. 8-9. She reported the 6th graders attended MOSS, the McCall Outdoor Science Seminar Sept. 10-12 and will be making a report to the Idaho County Commissioners next week. Forsmann said it was well worth the 3 days as the youth got a lot of hands-on science. She also reported that Colleen Sonnen is setting up a children and parents workshop on cyber-bullying which will take place after the Summit-Prairie Middle School basketball game. Summit’s students and parents have been invited to attend as well. She and Todd Shumway reported they are looking into the Idaho Distance Learning Academy (IDLA) offerings and how they could affect the Middle and High Schools. They are looking into making courses available to Summit and home schooled students, giving them an opportunity for course offerings that would otherwise be unavailable. This would benefit those students and also benefit the schools as they would be able to count those students in their average daily attendance for those classes, which could help offset the funding losses from otherwise declining enrollments. Shumway also reported that currently 42 students are receiving college credit through LCSC and 62 credits are being earned through tech prep courses at LCSC. They hope to have science credits available within a few weeks through the U of I. It’s possible some of these college credit courses could also be made available for Summit and homeschool students. He reported the new computer lab is up and running very well at the high school. He has also taken the old track record board and turned it into a thank you board for athletic sponsors. He is asking several community members to write letters of support for the parks and recreation grant they are seeking which would upgrade the football field area. He will continue to develop all of the information needed for the January, 2009 deadline and will attend a grant writing conference specific to this grant in October. Up to $400,000 is available. Gary Blaz reported the Elementary School open house/book fair would be Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the book fair will continue all day Thursday. He reported the Idaho Reading Indicator testing has been completed and any red flags have been identified. He said he’s very pleased with the Step Up to Writing program and also with their new spelling program. As superintendent he reported the Fitness Room at the Elementary School is nearing completion and will be made available to staff and their spouses as well as board members. He didn’t have a report as of yet on the heating assessment from the Woody Biomass Fuels for Schools program. When asked how the teachers were doing by board member Della Gehring, all three principals said they are doing great. There is a lot of enthusiasm. The board adjourned to an executive session at 7:35 p.m. |
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