| School
Board meets
The school board met last Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the Prairie Middle School library. Karen Lustig was in attendance with some questions about the move to 2 buildings and making them K-6 and 7-12. IN particular about the 7th and 8th grade students. Superintendent Gary Blaz said the number 1 priority is keeping the high school separate from the junior high as much as possible. This would also affect release time schedules. The board and administrators have a public meeting planned for 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the Elementary Cafeteria for facility discussion. Also to be present at the Feb. 1 meeting will be a representative from McKinstrey Industries about us of Biomass fuel at the high school and Monastery. Gil Bates of IDALEW will also be there. It’s possible that one boiler could heat both the high school and Monastery creating savings for both. The February meeting will be moved to Tuesday, Feb. 16 and will be at the high school with a 6:30 p.m. social and the meeting at 7 p.m. In discussion of facility upgrades it was a reported there is a leak at the high school in the hallway near the cafeteria and band room. Blaz also reported he’s having some second thoughts on moving the 7th & 8th grades to the high school. He is looking into adding on to the Middle School instead but for K-6 only so that they wouldn’t have to move the building. It was suggested they may need to have the building and land appraised. In administrative reports Todd Shumway reported they replace tiles in the upper hallway and replaced doorway strips over Christmas break. He reported grade checks have been done and GPA reports for winter sports will be submitted to the IHSAA for State Academic Championships on Feb. 1. In other events the careers class invited several adults from the community to do mock interview with students and evaluate job search skills. LCSC representatives were at PHS on Jan. 6 to do credit sign ups for dual credit classes in the second semester. TSA Club is hosting work nights for students to get projects ready for state competition. Kudos to Rick Workman and Roger Holthaus for helping with these. HOSA Club is also hosting study nights for students who will be competing at state in April. Both TSA and HOSA have had many students doing many hours of volunteer work in the community. BPA had an orange/grapefruit fundraiser sale before Christmas break to raise money toward their regional and state competitions. Rene’ Forsmann reported they started junior high wrestling practice. 3 wrestlers will be joining the high school practices. Junior High volleyball practice began on Jan. 19. Report cards went out Jan. 20. On Jan. 14th, 8th grade students took the EXPLORE test, a Gear Up activity. Test results give students indicators of their strengths and weaknesses in English, Math, Reading and Science. There will be a hunter safety course for 6th grade students from Jan. 25-29. Virgil Wassmuth is in charge of the program. Blaz reported all is back to normal after the break although students are complaining there’s not enough snow for sledding. There was some boiler damage at the Elementary School but thanks to Roy Schumacher and his staff they were only without heat for 1 day. Kudos to Dave Remacle and his efforts of keeping the old system running. In his superintendent’s report Blaz said he discussed Race to the Top with a wide variety of people and came to the conclusion that it seems to be turning into something that may cost the district a great amount of money if the state decides not to support it in the future. For this and other reasons they decided not to partake in this program. He has been working on an evaluation plan for the state. This must be submitted in February. He would also be meeting with Orofino staff to work on the Tech Prep program and CNA students. It seems they are in same situation we are and maybe something can be worked out between the two schools. He is also planning to hold a meeting with area superintendents to determine if a regional special ed cooperative would be effective for all. The board adjourned at 8:21 p.m. for superintendent evaluation. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 16 at the PHS library. A special action plan meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 1 at the Elementary cafeteria at 5 p.m. |
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