School Board accepts several resignations at meeting
After the Stockton USD 271 Board of Education board members held three executive sessions during their regular meeting on Monday, May 4th, they came back to the open meeting and accepted the following resignations as present: Jennifer Hrabe as ITV monitor, Donna Hudson-Hamilton as spirit squad coach, Rebecca Gray as play sponsor, Jessica Billinger as junior high volleyball coach, Andrea Dix as junior high Student Council sponsor, and Ray Niblock as junior high girls basketball coach.
At the start of the meeting, the principals reviewed the Continuous Learning Plan and its progress. Grade school principal Stacey Green noted there was one more week before the finalization of the school year. She was getting feedback from parents and asking staff how things were going and what needs to be worked on. High school principal Gary McCown said parents were asking about when assignments were due and how much time was needed for every class period. Teachers have put the information online for the parents. Parents and teachers would like to see more group classes, and have students work together on assignments. Superintendent Bill Lowry stated that the lunchroom staff had served over 1,000 breakfasts and lunches during the past week. He stated that the staff is doing a fantastic job. He also noted that the school is communicating with parents more than they ever have, and the good conversations are helping them now and down the road as they plan for the next school year. It was also decided to leave the devices with the students over the summer.
Lowry then went over the Custodial Review and the expenses used for cleaning supplies. Lowry gave the commissioners two recommendations, which include the creation of a director of maintenance, and a possible service agreement with Pure Zone for supplies. Lowry said the District is already using their products now, but with an agreement it would create a more uniform ordering system. The board members voted to create director of maintenance position and to enter into a contract with Pure Zone.
The board members then approved the KASB Membership renewal for the coming year in the amount of $5,454.00 as well as the Legal Assistance Fund in the amount of $2,100.00.
During her Principal’s Report, Stacey Green gave Redesign updates to the board members. She also went over the planning of the 20-21 school year, noting that during the first round of enrollment there were 16 three-year-olds, 21 four-year-olds and 16 kindergarten students signed up. Green is looking at classroom needs and working on the curriculum. Junior high cheer try-outs were held, and there are six boys signed up for football at this time.
High school principal Gary McCown is working on math curriculum with teachers Mr. Lindsey and Mr. Tso at this time. A math/science pathway has been added with 21 students interested in the class. Meetings with teachers and students have been set up each week and things are going well. Graduation has been set for Saturday, July 11th at Tiger Stadium. Plans for an eighth-grade promotion are being finalized. Mrs. Bennett and Mr. Basart are writing a grant for an Entrepreneur class. The teachers are cleaning out their rooms for the summer. McCown gave the teachers a checkout form for the students. McCown has been asked about After Prom, but since it is not school-related the decision dealing with the donations and funding are up to the After Prom committee. Also, discussions are being held at this time dealing with the funds the junior class raised for Prom.
Superintendent Bill Lowry noted that it was Teacher Appreciation Week. The state budget for school funding will be closely observed in the next few months. With the state re-opening, high school graduation has been set for July 11th.The seniors will divide the senior trip money. The District received $52,033.00 from CARES money to help pay for COVID-19 expenses and supplies. Lowry noted that COVID testing is being conducted at Webster State Park. Food Service will continue until June 30th. Plans to start school in August are being prepared for with it noted that there might be an interruption in classroom studies in October/November due to a possible second round of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Present for the meeting, all via Zoom, were board members Daphne Plumer, Aftan Tso, Mark Billinger, LeAnn Dix, Jesse Stithem, and Stephanie Niblock, high school principal Gary McCown and grade school principal Stacey Green. At the District Office were superintendent Bill Lowry and board president Linda Conyac as well as attorney Terry Cikanek.
