Princeton Board Accepts Donations

The Princeton R-5 Board of Education held a special meeting on Monday, Aug. 13, accepting two monetary donations and taking action on several items.
Gary and Kathy Thompson have donated $19,021.10 to help with costs involving the installation of a new football scoreboard at the Eddie Allen Field. The district purchased a used scoreboard last winter from the Waukee, IA school district for $500 and the Thompsons’ donation will be used to cover installation costs as well as placing a sign on the top of the scoreboard, designating “Eddie Allen Field.” Volunteer labor and equipment will be used to put up the scoreboard and sign, saving the district around $7,000.
A second donation of $1,000 was received from Pearl Scurlock. The money will be used to purchase an automatic external defibrillator for the Stacy Center. The district already has an AED in the elementary building and the second unit will now make one available in the junior/senior high building area.
A bid for dairy products from Anderson Erickson was accepted. It was the lowest of two received and includes bids for milk, orange juice, cottage cheese and sour cream. No bids were received for bakery items.
The board approved the 2017-18 Annual Secretary of the Board Report, which will be submitted to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The report shows the district with an unrestricted fund balance at around 40 percent.
An updated preschool handbook was approved as well as a change to the 2018-19 school calendar due to a typographical error. The final makeup day, if needed, will be on Tuesday, May 28.
Following an executive session, Philip Todd was hired as a custodian. Nancy Gamet and Harlene Dougan were hired as part-time preschool paraprofessionals. Both women previously taught in the R-5 School District before retiring.
The board is scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 20 for its annual tax rate levy hearing. The first day of classes at Princeton will be on Wednesday, Aug. 22.