GC R-I Board News Bulletin

September 1, 2017

Board of Education Planning Meeting

Thank you for your input on a date for our planning session. I have reserved the Celebration Hall at the Tin Mill Restaurant for our planning session on Wednesday, September 20th from 5:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. We will have a private room in which to work. We will order from the menu when we arrive and have a working meal together.

The main purpose of the planning meeting this year will be to review the current state of the District as well as the 5 year plan. The administrative team and I have been working to create a document based on the document that was designed in 2014, as well as to meet the upcoming needs of our students, staff, and overall district. I will send you the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) draft a week or so prior to the meeting for your review. My purpose in doing so will be for you to review it, make notes, and bring your input to the meeting for discussion.

Energy Efficiency Projects

I am pleased to report that Dustin Hoener and Matt Kohrs completed the lighting upgrades on the High School parking lot this week. This will provide better lighting at less cost.

The lights in the High School are a benefit to the learning environment.

You will see an item on the next board meeting agenda for the surplus of property. One of those items will be the old light fixtures from the HS. We will offer these for sale, with the exception of a few lights that Dustin would like to keep as back-ups.

Reminder...

Don't forget to complete the Superintendent Evaluation from our August Board Meeting. As soon as everyone is finished I will email you the report.

This month the evaluation will focus on mission, vision, goals. How are we doing in the District? Are we moving forward?

JH Football

What we know:

St. James, St. Clair & Pacific have approved school sponsored programs.
Owensville is undecided. The board has disapproved a soccer program recently and are reluctant to approve JH FB.
Union will vote on it in September.
Sullivan has a new coach & are waiting to decide.
Cuba is undecided.
The startup cost is approximately $16,000 and annual cost is approximately $12,000.

Pros:

In a JH program students are better protected with higher quality equipment.
A JH program provides longevity for and builds a HS program.
We can monitor student's attendance, grades, and character/behavior with a JH program.
Practice right after school for our students, rather than 6-8 pm. *Additional family time, time for homework, dinner, etc.

Potential Concerns:

The cost, especially right after the tax levy.
The availability of coaching staff member/s, people to run the clock, chains, etc. (long term).
Public perception.

What would you like to do?

Do you want it on the agenda in September?
If so, do you want me to include a motion in favor or opposed to the program? Do you want an update in a public meeting rather than a motion?
Do you want to wait to see what R-2, Cuba, Sullivan, and Washington do?

Please send me an email on your thoughts.

Tractor Purchase

The following are the specs we put out on an RFP for a tractor based on recommendations from tractor professionals.

PROJECT SCOPE AND REQUIREMENTS

· 50 Horsepower or larger Utility Tractor

o Diesel Engine

o 50 HP or larger

o PTO HP described in proposal

o 4-wheel drive

o Power steering

o Fluid filled industrial rear tires

§ Tire size specified in proposal

o Front end lift capacity 2,000 lbs or greater

§ Lift capacity specified in proposal

o Warranty specified in proposal

· Grooming Mower – 7’

· Sickle Mower – 7’ or larger

· Snow push/Box Blade – 7’

We have received bids from John Deere and New Holland. No other bids have been submitted at this time. The deadline for submission is September 6, 2017. I will keep you posted.