All the March Board News

Admittedly, the Board agenda for tonight's  meeting was a little bit longer than what we normally publish, but we were able to get through the agenda in a reasonable amount of time and also have our work session.

Mrs. Spiegel, the Director of Early Childhood & Extended Learning, provided an administrative report on the expansion of our preschool program over the past three years. We have more than doubled our enrollment since 2016-2017. We are now serving 105 children and it is estimated there are more children in the area that are not being served by area preschools.  She also presented information about the different assessments that are used, ECERS (a type of program evaluation standard tool), curriculum changes, and the implementation of PBIS at the early childhood level.  Mrs. Spiegel also presented the preschool handbook and requested additional instructional resources. Both requests were approved as presented.

Our Business Manager, Mrs. Ruzek, presented an overview of the district's budget planning process. You can view her presentation here.  I appreciate the time Mrs. Ruzek took to prepare this presentation as planning the budget is a lengthy and involved process. The Board approved the 101% budget guarantee resolution which will help us move forward. The budget guarantee provides a buffer for district's that have had a decline in enrollment and fills in the funding gap for a one year a period. The next step is to publish the budget, hold a public hearing, and have it approved at the next meeting.  It is anticipated the levy will decrease to $14.60.

The consent agenda was approved as presented.

School Calendar was approved for the 2019-2020 school year after the hearing was held.

We are continuing to move forward with our facility planning process.  Our contract with DLR was amended at the meeting to include prebond planning services, additions, and renovation work.  There were also bids approved for carpet in the high school library (Sheridan Decorating, $9078.30) and the K-8 building (Cabinets by Stac, $59,232.00).  The Board also authorized purchasing two riding mowers from Vetter Equipment ($20,800.00) and new fitness equipment ($16,961.00) for the weight room.  I am pleased the Activity Boosters agreed to pay for $5,000.00 toward the fitness equipment. I appreciate their ongoing support, it makes a difference in what we can do for our students.

After some discussion, the Board agreed to support the addition of soccer (intramural) and dance team at the high school. Middle school cheerleading was also approved. This proposal came from the high school after they survey their students about activities they are interested in participating in that are not currently available.  Most of the Hawkeye 10 schools have soccer as a competitive sport. This is something we may consider as a future option for our students.

The Board also approved the addition of three "zero-hour" or early morning classes.  These include options for Agriculture, Industrial Arts, and Weights.  Adding the additional sections will allow students more flexibility with their schedules and allow them to take more courses in career technical education areas and fitness without having to "give up" or make as many choices about other curriculum options.

There was a work session after the Board meeting tonight.  This work session was scheduled for the Board to discuss the sharing committee's update on sharing agreements with other districts.  Adam Van Der Vliet provided an overview of the steps the District has taken in response to the request for information from Essex about whole grade sharing. He shared with the Board that in addition to the information that was provided to Essex, I have also met with Mr. Croghan and his leadership team to discuss options and tour the campus.  I had arranged for the sharing committee to tour the facility last week, but the tour was canceled due to the weather and has not been rescheduled.

There have been different rumors and incorrect information about the District's intent to work with Essex that the committee has tried to respond to by making some personal contacts and using social media.  Tonight was the first time the full Board was able to discuss this matter in an open meeting.  I was very pleased the Board members discussed and expressed a consistent message that they have a desire to work with Essex to create a long-range plan that is cohesive, consistent and beneficial to students. There is nothing further Shenandoah CSD can do at this time without an invitation from Essex to do so.