WJJQ LOCAL NEWS
Tomahawk School Board Meeting notes

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

 

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF TOMAHAWK MET TUESDAY NIGHT FOR THEIR SEPTEMBER MEETING. IN BOARD ACTION APPROVED THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDING THE RESIGNATION OF JACKIE SCHIRA-SPECIAL EDUCATION DIRECTOR LEAVING IN JANUARY. THE OTHER RESIGNATIONS, ABOVE PAY CONTRACTS AND DONATIONS TO THE DISTRICT WERE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. 

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL SCOTT SWENTY INTRODUCED THE NEW STAFF MEMBERS INCLUDING: SARA PILLER-ART DEPARTMENT, AMANDA JOHNSON ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION, SANDY JONES SPECIAL EDUCATION, RYAN HUSEBY TECH ED. AND BEN LOWDAHL SPECIAL EDUCATION.

BOTH MITCH HAMM MIDDLE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL AND DAN MC GUIRE ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL REPORTED THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL IS OFF TO A GREAT START.  

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR ROGER RINDO REPORTED THE FIRST FRIDAY ENROLLMENT NUMBERS WITH STUDENT AT SCHOOL NUMBERED 1434 DOWN 42 STUDENTS FROM THE END OF LAST YEAR. THIRD FRIDAY COUNT WILL TAKE PLACE ON SEPTEMBER 18.

RINDO ALSO TALKED ABOUT A NEW PROGRAM BEING STARTED BY THE SALVATION ARMY CALLED “HAPPY KID BACKPACK PROGRAM”.  THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING LATER THIS YEAR ASSISTING NEEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WITH FOOD AND MILK TAKEN HOME ON FRIDAY FOR SUBSTANCE FOR THE KIDS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

THE BOARD APPROVED THE LAW FIRM OF O’BRIAN, ANDERSON, BURGY AND GARBOWITZ AND DAVIS-KUELTHAU AS THE SCHOOL ATTORNEYS. APPROVED CITIZENS BANK, TOMAHAWK COMMUNITY BANK AND PARK CITY CREDIT UNION AS DESIGNATED DEPOSITORIES.

IN COMMITTEE REPORTS, FROM FINANCE RINDO DISCUSSED THE “OPEB”-OTHER POST EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS STUDY AND LIABILITY REPORT FOR DISTRICT STAFF UPON RETIREMENT. THE PRESENT COST OF FUTURE BENEFITS IS $3,888,720.00 WITH AN ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION OF $364,279.00-NOT INCLUDING SICK LEAVE DAYS THAT ARE CONVERTED TO CASH FOR BUY BACK OF HEALTH INSURANCE. THE DISTRICT HAS 183 EMPLOYEES WITH ABOUT ONE-THIRD ABLE TO RETIRE IN THE NEXT FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

THE OPERATIONS COMMITTEE PUT ON HOLD THE DISTRICT LIGHTING PROJECT TO CHANGE THE CURRENT LIGHTING TO MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHTING-IT WAS NOT COST EFFECTIVE AT THIS TIME.

STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE WILL BE OFFERED THROUGH FIRST AGENCY, INC. AT PARENT’S EXPENSE WITH NO COST TO THE DISTRICT.  

CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENTS DISCUSSED FUTURE GRADUATION DATES. THIS RESURFACED AFTER LAST SPRING WHEN SENIORS WERE OUT OF SCHOOL NINE DAYS BEFORE GRADUATION. THE COMMITTEE PLANS TO SURVEY THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THERE OPINION ON POSSIBILY MOVING GRADUATION CLOSER TO THE END OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR IN FUTURE YEARS. FOR THE CURRENT SENIORS THIS YEAR THE LAST DAY WILL BE MAY 28TH 2010 AND GRADUATION ON MAY 31ST – 4 DAYS EARLIER WITH THE REST OF THE STUDENTS LAST DAY OF SCHOOL ON JUNE 4TH 2010.

DISCUSSED OPEN CAMPUS LUNCH REQUIREMENTS - A PRIVILEGE AVAILABLE TO ALL JUNIORS AND SENIOR IN GOOD STANDING-BASED ON SIX CRITERIA.

DISCUSSED THE WEB GRADER PILOT RESULTS. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM COULD SUPPORT THE DISTRICT’S BENCHMARKING PLAN OF PRIORITY WORK AS IT RELATES TO STANDARDS-BASED INSTRUCTION, ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING.

IN ADDITION DISCUSSION WITH SKYWARD STAFF WILL TAKE PLACE THIS WEEK ABOUT THEIR PROGRAM’S CURRENT AND POTENTIAL CAPABILITIES FOR AN ELECTRONIC GRADE BOOK.

THE BOARD WILL HOLD THE ANNUAL TOMAHAWK SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT STARTING AT 7PM IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AUDITORUM. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR ROGER RINDO WILL BE OUR SPECIAL MORNING FORUM GUEST WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23RD AT 9:35.

 

 

 

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