The Worth County School Board, at their regular meeting on Wednesday, extended the contract of Superintendent Chris Healy through the 2026-27 school year.
The board extended the bid acceptance date for summer bond projects through January 21st, so no bids were opened at the meeting.
The first reading of the new calendar for next year was done. Tentative starting date for the school will be August 19th and the final day of school will be May 15th.
The board approved a listing for the property at 400 Meade Street in Grant City with Twaddle Realty of Maryville.
The Technology Program was rated as "Excellent" by the board. The school installed redundant Internet service last fall. The school continues to maintain its technology by purchasing and replacing Chromebooks each year and rotating the old hardware from vocational grants into the elementary. Vocational grants helped purchase 17 new desktop computers, a SmartBoard, a laptop, and a 3D printer. Tech personnel provide timely training and responses to technology problems. The district continues to be 1:1 device to student for grades 3 through 12 and students can take the Chromebooks home. The business department provides coding courses for students. The school installed two new security cameras and a new electric bus parking lot.
Concerns listed include the fact that Chromebook replacement purchases will need to be budgeted for out of district funds. Access control software for entryways is becoming outdated. Alarm systems throughout the building are not connected to each other.
Recommendations include researching alarm systems and best options to bring up to date, researching and staying up to date on cybersecurity, and continuing to maintain funding for technology upgrades.
The Activities Programs were rated as "Excellent." Strengths listed include the fact that 91% of junior high and high school students are involved in extracurricular activities. Many teams and organizations have received high levels of success. New visitor and student section bleachers have been installed at the football field. New lighting and fencing has been installed at the softball field. A new discus ring and sand have been purchased for the long jump and triple jump pits. All coaches have been trained in CPR, AED, and First Aid. The gym floor has been refinished. New uniforms have been purchased for the track and softball teams.
Concerns include looking in to updating the batting cage at the softball field. The outside of the track needs more rock. The Choir has not gotten new uniforms since 2015 and the Band has not gotten new uniforms since 1995. Coordinating practice times and meetings are difficult because of high participation and duplicate members. Basketball practices are conducted at inconvenient times because of only having one gym; there are times that four teams are trying to schedule practices on the same day. The stage isn't available for music practices during basketball practices. The multipurpose room isn't adequate space to function for a practice facility. Students miss instructional time because of activities.
Recommendations include researching and reevaluating needs of athletic facilities and looking for options for purchasing band uniforms.
The current activities/athletics budget is $144,000, which is 3.1% of the district budget.
Elementary Principal Chuck Borey reported that there were 14 office referrals for the second quarter.
Attendance winners for December were the 5th graders (97.09%), Pre-K (96.85%), and the 1st grade (96.48%).
High School Principal Josh Smith reported on what various classes were studying. American Government students are designing and creating flashcards to depict the basic rights and purposes of all seven articles and 27 amendments to the US Constitution. 8th grade social studies students are choosing an American colony of their choice and designing a brochure. Junior high music students are creating their own drum accompaniment to a song of their choice. Art history students are creating biography posters of artists and their work. They then create their own piece of work that is in the style of their artist.
Winners of the December attendance challenge were the seventh grade (97.09%), followed by the freshmen (95.93%) and the sophomores (94.98%).
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