Directors update board about their programs

School Board
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Associate Editor

     Four program directors within the Monticello Community School District updated board members on their departments during a work session/special meeting of the Monticello School Board June 13.

     Food service director Pat Kelly spoke about a variety of items. The food service program had a review done by the USDA in January 2018, and received 15 commendations and were recommended four corrective actions. He discussed the summer feeding program, which he said has had a high of 46 students attend and a low of 24 so far.

     Kelly also spoke about the backpack program, which the food service program has taken over.

     “It has been a positive for Monticello to be associated with it,” Kelly said.

     Transportation director Mike Wink gave a summary of the 2017-18 school year, stating that there were 11 regular bus routes, and that the district logged a total of 164,000 miles. He mentioned that there will be a consolidation of a couple of bus routes south of town.

     As for the future, Superintendent Brian Jaeger and Wink discussed the possibility of seat belts being mandated on school buses in the coming years.

     Dennis Dirks, director of buildings and grounds, said the high school gym project is under way and is expected to be completed during the week of June 18-22. The LED lighting project throughout the high school was scheduled to begin June 14.

     Future items to be addressed, Dirks said, include better handicap accessibility for both the football and basketball bleachers.

     Panther Academy director Tammy Helgens talked about an increase in participation, stating that the program is now averaging 36 kids per day, and a new staff member needs to be added. She said the academy has paid off its debt, which at one point reached $11,000.

     Helgens also said she has noticed a change in the atmosphere.

     “Students and parents seem happier,” she said. “We hope to keep building Panther Academy as a fun and positive place to be.”

In other board business:

     • Prior to the work session, the board held a short special meeting to approve a list of personnel items, which included the appointment of Ellen Walker as middle school band teacher, assistant band director, and elementary/middle school instrumental band teacher; Brett Kneiss and Deb Bowman as high school teacher mentors; Stacy Campbell as EL summer reading program teacher; Jenna Peters as sixth-grade science/social studies teacher; and Callie Kromminga-Smith as .50 FTE coordinator for the ELL family literacy and outreach program.

     It also included the resignation of Kent Behrends as night custodian at the high school.

     Superintendent Brian Jaeger said that, barring unforeseen changes, all teachers and staff for the 2018-19 school year are on board.

     • The board discussed changes to the 2018-19 District Teacher Handbook, Support Staff Handbook, Panther Academy Staff Handbook, and Administrative Staff Handbook. The handbooks will be up for approval at the June 25 regular meeting.

 

Category:

Subscriber Login