DUKE CENTER — The Otto-Eldred school board discussed efforts to find replacements for two high school english positions during their regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday evening.
One of the positions was opened shortly before the start of the school year, while the other will be vacant soon. With limited interest seen through initial advertisements, a plan will be fully reviewed that would involve shifting of current staff members to accommodate needs.
Identifying short term substitutes will be key in their plan. The top priority of the board will be to limit the impact on the students during this transition. The board also approved guidelines for Superintendent Matt Splain to pursue employment of a PC technician.
In other staffing news, a motion was approved to update department head titles and responsibilities. Based on the success seen last year through the KTO grant, teacher leaders will continue to support instructional improvements throughout the district. Teacher leaders will serve as an additional resource to support staff in district improvement efforts.
In his administration report, Splain shared limited news on any movement to resolve the state budget. Currently, the Senate and House are debating solutions that would either raise taxes from multiple sources or raid reserves from a variety of sources. There does not seem to be any urgency to find a solution, even though it has been reported that the state will run out of money to pay bills as of Friday.
Lindsay Burns, principal of elementary and special education, reported that the elementary school has had a great start to the school year. PAW Pride rules have been reinforced within the school and follow to the busses. Classrooms are up and running with cross-curricular lessons being observed. Burns announced there will be an open house from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 20.
Parents of students in kindergarten through third grade are asked to visit from 6 to 6:45 p.m., while fourth to sixth grade parents and students should visit from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m.
During public comment, the school board heard from parent, Jolene Schussler, regarding the district policy regarding students riding home after school sponsored athletic events. Schussler requested the board consider altering the policy to allow other adults besides parents or grandparents be permitted to take students home after athletic events in lieu of riding the school provided transportation. Schussler shared her family’s struggles keeping up with her students’ schedules this fall. After a lengthy discussion which included the board’s rationale for maintaining a very precautionary approach to this issue, a motion to review the policy failed to gain enough support to take action.
In new business, the board supported the use of Loop Scholarship Funds held by the district to support students payment for dual enrollment courses. Up to $10,000 per year was approved to pay for completed courses with minimum of a “B” grade earned.
In conclusion of the meeting, several field trips for the school year were reviewed and discussed before final approval.
