Just five days following a lengthy special called meeting, the Clinton County Board of Education held a much shorter regular session this past Monday, April 15, with all board members on hand.
The board first recognized four Rogers Scholars students, two from the eighth grade and two CCHS students. They include Dylan Cooksey and Mason Musk (8th grade) and high school students Ali Latham and Jed Groce.
Finance Director Courtney Norris then gave the monthly finance report, stating the ending balance was over $9.2 million.
Norris also informed the board the state has completed a very “rough draft” of SEEK funding for districts for the coming year, with the district expecting a reduction in those funds due to lower attendance and enrollment. She noted the board should keep that in mind for future reference.
Dr. Julie York, Director of Pupil Personnel, then presented the monthly attendance report for the eighth month of school, which ran from March 12 through April 15.
In comparison to the same month a year ago, average daily attendance was up slightly, standing at 90.58 this year compared to 89.9 percent the same month a year ago.
York also noted that the closure of Foothills Academy had a slight adverse affect on the overall attendance rate.
Food Service Director Jessica Conner then gave a report to the superintendent and board members pertaining to projects related to Food Services.
Conner said they have changed their data system from Infinite Campus to Mosaic, and gave some benefits of the new system, including streamlining their data, making the Food Service program more efficient and allowing her and the staff more time to work on other projects.
She noted the new system will make it easier for people to fill out family income forms, and more information on the new system would be made available to the public in the coming months.
Conner also reported on the building and facilities, noting some equipment had to be repaired or replaced, noting most of the equipment was “very old.”
She also announced the Summer Feeding Program would be for an eight week span this year, providing two meals per day starting June 3 and running through the end of July.
The Farm to School Program, which involves local farmers providing fresh produce to the schools was briefly discussed. This program takes place in the fall months.
Board Chairperson Leslie Stockton also offered the board’s assistance in promoting the Farm to School and other Food Service programs available.
Board member Gary Norris also suggested that Conner consider running each school menu daily on the local radio station.
Conner also mentioned two items that were listed under “consent items” on the board agenda, those being the NSLP (National School Lunch Program) Cost Rate and CEP (Community Eligibility Provision).
Following Conner’s report, Superintendent Wayne Ackerman and board members thanked the Food Service Director and staff for the job they do.
After the reports, the board voted on a handful of items listed on the agenda.
At the special session of the board last week, they voted to enter into an agreement with the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office to supply SROs (School Resource Officers) in each school beginning next year.
On Monday, the board, on a motion by Gary Norris, voted unanimously to discontinue the Clinton County Schools Police Department, effective June 30 of this year.
Superintendent Ackerman said this would be the first of a few steps to transition the school district from supplying school security to the sheriff’s office supplying SROs in the schools.
On a motion by Ronald Albertson, the board then voted to declare a host of items (which were read aloud by Chairwoman Stockton) as surplus property to be sold at auction.
The next item of business pertained to a fiber optic system agreement with the board.
Technology Supervisor Justin Mercer told the board the fiber system had been let for bids and three had been received. He noted one bidder was not even from the area, and noted Mediacom had given the best and lowest proposal.
On a motion by Norris, the board voted to approve a three year fiber agreement with Mediacom by unanimous vote.
The board, on a motion by Albertson, voted unanimously to approve a three year agreement with Stuber Education. (This program had been discussed at last week’s special session. Details on that meeting can be found elsewhere this week.)
The final item of business on the agenda was the approval of consent items, which included minutes, subsequent disbursements, payment of bills, medical leaves, (NSLP Indirect Cost and CEP Intent to Participate–both pertaining to the Food Service Program), overnight trips, and district wide fundraiser.
At the beginning of the meeting, which began with prayer, the board also approved the meeting agenda, and no public comments were made.
The next regular meeting of the Clinton County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, May 20, at 5 p.m. and is open to the public.