Board Highlights
January 14, 2002

Received an update and demonstration on the IM Series curriculum management system from curriculum director Carroll McLuckie.

Reviewed a draft of a proposed 2002-03 calendar with an August 26 start date. Activities Director Todd Coy provided the board with information about the starting dates for fall activities and scheduling issues impacted by New Year's Day falling on Wednesday next year. All athletic schedules will be in a rollback year next year, meaning state tournament competition will fall one week later than has been the case in recent years. The board will consider adoption of the 2002-03 calendar at it February meeting

Approved four open enrollment requests for the 2002-03 school year: two students "in" to South Hamilton, one student "out" to Webster City and one student "out" to Roland-Story.

Discussed the distribution of the $5000 award the South Hamilton Middle/High School will receive as the winning school in the Malls4schools Program held at North Grand Mall during the first semester. The board approved the distribution as follows:

  • $1000 to South Hamilton Elementary to reinstate academic field trips
  • $1000 to South Hamilton MS/HS to reinstate academic field trips
  • $3000 to the South Hamilton Fine Arts department to address a variety of needs. The board wishes to thank the entire South Hamilton community for its support on behalf of the school.  The board also expressed appreciation for the efforts of the members of the South Hamilton High School chorus and band, who performed on numerous occasions at the mall during the holiday season,
The board received an energy update from the superintendent that shows a reduction of expenditures of $10,100 from this same time a year ago, thanks to the mild winter and the energy conservation efforts of staff members.  Reduced gasoline and diesel fuel costs have also been realized so far this school year.

Approved the high school course offerings for the 2002-03 school year. Registration for high school classes will begin in a few weeks.

Granted permission for the high school swing choir to hold a special rehearsal on Sunday afternoon, January 20th  in preparation for the Swing Choir contest scheduled for January 26.

Elementary principal Paul Hemphill reported on the recent notification that the elementary school will receive a School Net Weather Station from KCCI-TV 8 and Midland Power. A portion of the weather station has already been received and installed. The weather station computer will soon be installed. A live broadcast from the school will also be scheduled in the near future.

Received an update on the district's general fund budget history and solvency ratio. The solvency ratio has improved to a +.68%.

Received an update from the superintendent on estimates that have been received on several projects to be addressed through the use of PPEL funds. The board will set its priorities on these projects at its February meeting.

The superintendent distributed a schedule for the review of board policy. The sections of board policy that address the Board of Directors, Staff Personnel, Business Procedures, and School-Community Relations are targeted for review this year.

Mr. Kinley indicated that his next "Coffee and Conversation" meeting will be scheduled for Saturday morning, February 2 from 8-9:30 a.m.

The board met in closed session after the meeting for a brief strategy session on contract negotiations for 2002-03.