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Board meets
The school board opened bus bids and approved the school calendar for 2014-15 at their January meeting Wednesday, Jan. 15 at Prairie Jr./Sr. High School. The received 3 bus bids from two different bidders. All bids had bids with or without the trade-ins of two older buses. One bidder submitted bids of the same body but with 2 different motors. The apparent low bidder did not exactly meet specs on wheelbase. The board gave approval for the low bidder once Dave Shears checks out whether the wheelbase difference affects the size of the coach asked for and whether it substantially affects the size of the underneath storage area. Shears said if those check out, the shorter wheelbase would actually make it more maneuverable. A draft calendar presented by superintendent Rene’ Forsmann was approved. The proposed calendar is nearly identical to the present year. School would start on Sept. 2, the day after Labor Day, and end on June 5. No school days are Oct. 2-3, Nov. 7, Nov. 26-28 for Thanksgiving, Dec. 22 to Jan. 2 for Christmas, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King day, Feb. 16 for President’s Day, March 27-April 3 for Spring Break and May 25 for Memorial Day. Graduation would be May 29. John Eynon has submitted his resignation effective the end of the school year. His resignation was accepted with board members commenting on how he has built the band program back up from where it was when he took over. This early resignation submission also gives the district a better chance to find a good replacement. Forsmann put a request to ask for proposals for new cabinets in the Elementary School before the board. She says the building could use some sprucing up with estimated cost of about $7500 per classroom to add some student cubbies, cabinets, coat closets and more storage. Included would also be redoing Denise Uhlenkott’s office and upgrading the science room at the Junior/Senior High School. As to funding, they are looking at getting about $385,000 in forest funds this year. Putting out a request for proposals is not a commitment to have the work done, it is just seeking information on what it would cost to do it. A motion was made and passed to seek proposals. In the facilities update Forsmann noted that Keely Schmidt has taken on as a senior project looking into doing something about the drainage problems at the track/football field. A survey has been done on the elevations and they are looking into costs of doing drainage work. Eventually the hope is to put in a quality track. Principal Carrie Nygaard said a 6-lane track is probably as big as they could go. That is what Orofino has due to the space limitations there. In administrative reports Forsmann said report cards are to go out Jan. 22. Elementary students have been taking winter assessments. Additional testing will be done in April and May. She is working on teacher evaluations. Next year they will need an additional teacher in the Elementary as they are 35 students in both Kindergarten and 1st grade. That will mean two 1st grade and two 2nd grade teachers next year. 3rd and 4th will continue with 3 teachers as will 5th and 6th. In her superintendent report Forsmann said she has completed the principal evaluation. She reported the Governor is proposing a 2.8% increase to public schools general fund but no increases in salaries and benefits for state employees. The Superintendent of Public Instruction is recommending a 5.4% increase to public schools general fund. She feels regardless a levy will be necessary again although they are looking at a smaller one than last year with some of the proceeds from the old K-1 building sale going toward reducing the levy. The rest of that goes into the plant facilities fund. She is continuing to work with Melisa Bryant of Ida-Lew on ideas and possibilities for the old elementary school. Nygaard reported that Mr. Curry is working to take students to several FFA Leadership conferences. One was Jan. 17 in Moscow with just a couple students going and the other is Jan. 27-28 in Boise. Junior high volleyball practice has begun. 10 eighth grade and 11 seventh grade girls have signed up. She also reported that Prairie donated $3402 in cash to the food bank from the Idaho County Shoot Out. The board adjourned to an executive session at 6:15 p.m. The next regular meeting will be Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Elementary School at 5:30 p.m. |
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