Grundy R-5, Spickard R-2 Boards Meet

A late start option was adopted and a board secretary sworn in during meetings on Monday night of the Grundy R-5 and Spickard R-2 boards of education.
Grundy R-5
The Grundy R-5 Board of Education approved a late start option and heard several reports during its meeting.
According to information provided by Superintendent Rob Deaver, the district now has a policy in place to allow for the start of school at a later time due to inclement weather. Before the action taken on Monday night, the district was only able to call off school for an entire day when weather was such that buses could not operate early in the day. The policy takes effect immediately.
Approval was given by the board to extend its coverage of property and liability insurance of $4 million at an annual cost of $354. Also approved was the job description for a part-time custodian, with the board deciding to wait until after the holidays to fill the position. The board also approved the vocational agriculture program evaluation.
The board heard a report on the Common Core Standards and discussed upcoming federal program reviews. Faculty reports were given for seventh through 12th grade science, third grade, fifth and sixth grade social studies and science and fifth grade communication arts.
The elementary principal’s report showed attendance at 97.02 percent. The elementary school has received a GEC grant to purchase an iPad. Recognition was given to the Hoop Shoot participants and the NCMC education and speech departments for donation of hats, gloves and scarves. A list of activities was also reviewed.
The secondary principal’s report showed attendance at 95.93 percent. Seth Riddle and Elizabeth Novak were recognized as the Christmas dance king and queen and the active shooting trainer held for faculty and staff was reviewed.
Filing began today for the April 8 school board election and runs through Jan. 21 during normal school hours. The terms of Larry Cook, Dennis McDonald and Abe Carver expire.
School will be dismissed early on Friday, Dec. 20 for the Christmas break, with the high school dismissing at 11:30 a.m. and the elementary school at 11:40 a.m. School will resume on Thursday, Jan. 2 with a full day of classes.
The next board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the high school.
Spickard R-2
Spickard R-2 board members gave the oath of office to a new board secretary and member and approved the annual audit during its meeting.
According to information provided by Administrator Mike Garrett, the oath of office was given to board secretary Amanda Scott and Jennifer Roberts, a new board member, was sworn in to fill a vacant seat on the board.
Garrett reviewed the procedures for cancelling or delaying school due to weather and board members approved the 2013 audit conducted by Scott Stephens, CPA.
In his report, Garrett outlined the schedule for Dec. 19 and 20, with dismissal at 1 p.m. both days. Class parties will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19. Awards will be presented at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20, followed by a visit from Santa at noon. Winter break will run until Jan.7 for students, with teachers returning to class on Jan. 6 for a workday.
Garrett also reported on the progress on the support wall on the south side of the building. Due to freezing, the project will be completed as weather permits. Garrett also said the internet upgrade will be completed in February.
The board had indicated an executive session might be held, but none was needed.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. This is a change in the regular meeting date due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.