Several members of the community were in attendance at the board meeting this evening. The entire meeting lasted just a little more than one hour.
1) Superintendent’s Report:
a. Food Services - Corrective actions recommended based on past inspection have been implemented and approved by the CDE. Also Mr. Olney mentioned that a special potato bar lunch was provided by the cafeteria and that students were so impressed that they actually (literally) applauded the efforts of the cafeteria staff.
b. Wireless Internet - Staff accounts configured and working. Student and Guest accounts have yet to be configured. Network maintenance and monitoring will be contracted out.
c. Save The Children - Mr. Olney shared information regarding an early childhood literacy program called Early Steps to School Success offered by an organization affiliated with Save The Children.
(See fact sheet: http://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/% ... TSHEET.PDF )
d. Demolition of Old Elementary School Buildings - A contractor has been selected to complete this project. At only $407K, the total projected cost is much lower than previously expected. (Asbestos abatement fees are included in this total.) The maintenance department has already done a lot of work in preparation for the removal of the buildings. Reusable items have been removed and some will be sold to the public by the Searles Valley Scholarship Foundation at an upcoming rummage sale. [Later in the meeting the board approved the contractor. The project is tentatively scheduled to begin late in October and will take sixty days to complete. Materials will be salvaged for reuse by the district or by community organizations.]
2) TCEA Collective Bargaining Agreement - The board voted to approve an agreement with the Classified Staff.
3) Zero Period - An ASB leadership class was approved. Students will receive credits and the teacher will be paid at his hourly rate to teach an extra class beyond his normal assignment.
4) The board approved an annual contribution to the ASB Activities Club to be funded by royalty monies. This money will be used to support student activities, school spirit and tradition. The Trona High School Leadership Class will develop an annual projected budget, review projected budgets of all clubs, and develop proper budgeting procedures.
5) Board Policies - Several revised board policy items were approved and one was presented for a first reading.
6) High School Basketball Coach Approved - Mr. Findlater (new high school P.E. instructor) will coach both the boys’ and girls’ teams.
7) Board Workshop - Saturday, October 11, 8 a.m. with open session in the District Board Room.
8) Next Regular School Board Meeting - Thursday, November 13, 2014.