The following are some of the highlights (as I saw them anyways) from the school board meeting last night.
1) Christina Celaya was sworn in as a board member. Deana Garrison was voted in for a second term as board president.
2) Superintendent Contract - The board voted in closed session to give Mr. Olney a three-year contract beginning July 1, 2015. No further details were provided.
3) Alan Tsubota - Talked about two-day iPad training provided for elementary teachers and showed a short video project created during the training by one of the teachers.
4) Mark Goins - Presented a report about the demolition of the Old Elementary site.Of particular interest was the removal of a 5000 gallon fuel tank which contained 3500 gallons of diesel fuel. The tank had been buried sometime back in the 1960s. Mr. Goins also talked at some length about the process of removing asbestos and the many precautions being taken to ensure that no hazardous materials are released into the community. He also warned that workers dressed in white HAZMAT suits may be visible from the highway and that community members should be aware that this is just part of the routine procedures used in dealing with asbestos removal.
5) ROP Funding - There is some uncertainty about the future of ROP funding. Although funding will be provided for at least a few more years, it will be at reduced levels. Royalty money will be used to supplement the funding of existing classes and so the district will continue to offer many career and technology classes for at least the next few years.
6) Financial Reports - Dawn McMillen presented two financial reports, including information about deficit spending, royalties, cafeteria over-spending, and an auditors report.
7) The board also approved several Board Policy and Administrative Regulation updates pertaining to Harassment, Nondiscrimination, and Uniform Complaint Procedures.
8) Next Regular Board Meeting: January 8, 2015