The Grundy R-5 Board of Education met Monday night, hearing reports and attempting to set a date for graduation ceremonies.
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The Grundy R-5 Board of Education met Monday night, hearing reports and attempting to set a date for graduation ceremonies.
Superintendent Paul Huey said that during Monday night?s meeting the board set the date for graduation for May 9, but he has learned that date will not work. Board members will continue to search for an appropriate date.
Huey gave a financial report, noting that the district received $129,135 less of state aid in August, September and October than during that same time period last year. Huey noted that as of Sept. 30, the district had a fund balance of $563,924.16, and when bills were paid on Monday, the fund balance had shrunk to $476,745.28. The reasons for the shrinking fund balance is a decrease in the eligible pupil count and the cuts in state aid.
Elementary Principal Lisa Fairley submitted a written report to the board, noting that attendance at the school in September was 98.04 percent, with 49 students receiving certificates for perfect attendance and 10 students being recognized for missing less than three hours. She also reported on the Four Square Reading Program and Rural Kids Reading Program, which were recently the subject of workshops. Mrs. Fairley said that $242 had been raised to purchase computers for education, with another $300 received from Mr. and Mrs. James Hamilton for computer project.
Mrs. Fairley said the tutoring and enrichment program is going well and noted that curriculum reviews are being completed. She also said the book fair went well and noted that the kindergarten, first and third grades met their class reading goals. Several persons were recognized for their contributions to the school recently.
Mrs. Fairley also reported on upcoming events, including Student Appreciation Day, Oct. 22; Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 27; parent teacher conferences (with an early dismissal), Oct. 24; halloween parties, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Oct. 31.
Principal Shawn Schultz gave the high school report, noting that attendance in September was 93.8 percent. He also said Stanford Testing has been completed and teacher evaluations are under way. Citizens Bank and Trust was recognized for their donation, which allowed the sound system in the gym to be upgraded. Schultz also noted that high school and junior high school music students will perform the National Anthem at home basketball games.
In his report, Huey said that the results of a survey indicate that patrons would like to see a separate elementary school yearbook, which will be done this year. He also gave an update on speech therapy services in the district, saying that he still has not been able to find a therapist or someone to serve as supervisor. A Parents as Teachers update was given, with the board approving a $10 per hour salary for Shanna Johnson, who is in charge of the program.
The board heard a report on Tinna Croy?s class serving as a ?stream team? and making a visit this morning to Medicine Creek, with access given by Brad Tolson. It was noted that Dennis McDonald and Connie Followwill, board members, will attend the MASA/MSBA joint meeting at Tan-Tar-A on Oct. 24-26. Huey said he is still working on getting pest control bids and announced that a total of $336.81 was collected by ?passing the hat? at softball games this season.
In other business, Huey said he is continuing to look at health insurance plans and is also hoping to have a model program in place using hand-held computers, most likely at the elementary building. The key, he said, will be finding the money to implement the program.
The board held an executive session in which student and personnel matters were discussed, with no action taken.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17.