A key highlight of the meeting was the resignation of Amanda O’Bourn from the school board. This development created a vacancy that the board plans to address through a transparent and legally compliant process. Applications for the position will be accepted from July 15th through August 2nd, allowing community members to apply for the role. The board emphasized the importance of transparency and adhering to statutory requirements in filling the vacancy.

Another issue was the removal of nine hazardous trees located at the back of the school building. These trees, identified as leaning and in poor condition, posed a risk to the playground area. The board discussed using Long-Term Facilities Maintenance (LTFM) funding for this project. A quote for the tree removal had been obtained from Kyle at Stern Tree Service.

Superintendent Jennifer Backer-Johnson provided updates on the LTFM plan, which required a formal resolution for approval due to changes in state administration of these funds. This plan, developed in collaboration with the building grounds and safety committee, outlines several years of maintenance needs and emphasizes transparency through its availability on the school’s website. The board unanimously supported the LTFM resolution following a roll call vote.

In addition to addressing these major topics, the board also discussed personnel changes beyond the resignation. The meeting included the approval of various resignations and new hires, such as the resignation of Aaron Hungerholt as the assistant football coach and the appointment of new coaching positions. The agenda further included the hiring of Cassie Sebert as a food service cook.

Superintendent Backer-Johnson also informed the board about a court order mandating the disclosure of certain information about former students with special education needs. She assured that any requests would be handled through the special education consortium to maintain compliance without breaching student confidentiality. This information will be posted on the district’s website to notify the community.

The board reviewed the financial aspects of the district, including discussions on securing better insurance rates for workers’ compensation, building insurance, liability insurance, and health insurance. The superintendent and the business manager had met several times to explore these options, keeping the board informed of their efforts to secure favorable terms.

The meeting also touched on the approval of various handbooks, including the student, activities, faculty, emergency, and pool employee handbooks. These approvals were routine, with most documents having undergone no changes since their first readings, except for a minor amendment in the activities handbook regarding intervention language. The board’s approval of these documents shows their attention to detail and commitment to maintaining clear and updated guidelines for district operations.

Lastly, the board reaffirmed that school fees for the upcoming year would remain consistent with the previous year, maintaining stability for families. Questions about the free admission policy for students in multiple sports were addressed, confirming that the policy would remain unchanged. The board’s discussions on upcoming district calendar events, such as the first day of school and staff development days, as well as the first home volleyball game, rounded out the meeting’s agenda.