The approval of a solar panel installation at the high school was one of the key highlights. Rich Ragot from Ideal Energy presented the proposal for a 275-kilowatt solar array, emphasizing the financial and educational benefits. The project is expected to generate substantial savings, with an estimated $50,400 in rental revenue in the first year alone and cumulative savings of approximately $958,000 over 20 years and $3.1 million over 30 years. Ragot also reassured board members about the durability and maintenance of the panels, explaining that they would withstand extreme weather conditions and that maintenance would be covered for the first 20 years.

The solar project aims to integrate educational components into the curriculum, offering students hands-on learning opportunities aligned with state standards. Board members raised questions about the long-term reliability and maintenance of the panels, which Ragot addressed by noting Ideal Energy’s extensive experience and the robustness of their systems. The urgency of the project was underscored by a looming grant application deadline, prompting the board to move swiftly in approving the next steps.

Another topic was the district’s transportation plan for the upcoming school year. Mark Deal and Michelle Carl provided updates, highlighting the elimination of several bus routes due to declining student numbers and the introduction of a new transfer hub system. This system aims to improve safety and efficiency, particularly for younger students transferring between buses. By organizing buses into groups and adjusting the drop-off and pick-up locations, the district hopes to streamline the process and reduce confusion. The elimination of routes was necessitated by a decrease in older students using the buses, either because they graduated or began driving themselves.

The transportation changes also included a shift to an online registration process, which enabled a more accurate count of students needing transportation and further reduced the number of routes required. Mark Deal emphasized that the district had not reduced the area covered by bus services. The board engaged in discussions about the logistical aspects of the new plan, including the timing of bus arrivals and departures to minimize congestion and ensure smooth transitions for students.

The meeting also featured a presentation on the Kinder Camp program, which took place from Monday to Thursday and ran from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The camp, designed to help incoming kindergarteners acclimate to the school environment, saw around 97 to 98 out of 120 registered students participate. Teachers reported positive outcomes, noting that the camp helped reduce anxiety and improve familiarity with school routines, such as breakfast, lunch, and bus rides. The program also facilitated new friendships and eased the first-day jitters, contributing to a smoother transition into the school year for both students and educators. Teachers expressed gratitude for the support staff and highlighted the significant improvements in student behavior and comfort as the week progressed.

In addition to these major topics, the board recognized staff members through the Flyer Pride awards, acknowledging their contributions to the district. Notable mentions included Jackie Fritz, Abby P, Dr. Knight, Chelsea Robinson, and Jada Elol, among others, for their dedication and positive impact on students and the community.

The meeting also included administrative updates from Superintendent Greg Johnson, who noted that this would be the last School Board meeting at the middle school, with future meetings planned at the district office. Enrollment updates revealed that class sizes for kindergarten and first grade averaged 20 to 21 students, while third through fifth grades had larger class sizes, reaching up to 28 students. The superintendent also introduced new administrative personnel, including Dan Fiser as the new middle school principal and Carol Potter as the new special education director.

Finally, the board discussed a resolution regarding the Toma trust account to update signatures following the acquisition of Bank Midwest. They also approved the employee handbook and district handbooks for various schools, with board members expressing appreciation for the consistent and streamlined nature of the documents.