School Board Previewed New Website Set to Go Live

By Mary Ann Inman, REPORTER

The Clinton Community District School Board met at the Clinton High School in Room 311 on Monday, Oct. 3, 6:30 p.m. Board Members present were: President Ken Luety, Gary Gilbank, Dustin Esselman, Evelyn Propp, Melissa Manthei and Jill Gunderson. Tom Howard was absent. Administrator Jim Brewer, Business Manager Dan McCrea, Building Principals, Sally Barrington, Julie Cornelius, Bob Butler, Nicole Erickson, Matt Huettl, and several other educators/coaches/citizens attended. After regular opening procedures, minutes, receipts and expenditures were approved, the Board recognized employee of the month. Seventh grade math teacher, Brooke Lyford, was present to accept her award. Staff changes are as follows hired: CMS Custodian Rolf Lund and CHS Assistant Football Coach Andrew Koconis. The first reading of policy followed. Dan McCrea explained enrollment numbers. Count for 2015 was 1,156 compared to 1,137 this year or negative nineteen. Two and one half positions have been eliminated.

Administrator Brewer suggested that the School Board consider increasing the liquidated damage fee from $750 for late resignations. A regional survey compared other school policies. Brewer suggested a percentage verses a flat fee and the Board agreed. A policy will be presented after Committee review. Ken Luety noted Facebook Administrators’ Rhonda Gilbank, Susan Anderson and Cindy Irwin were doing a terrific job with postings. Sally Barrington demonstrated website features to be managed by multiple administrators and building flexibility and all District common interest items like calendar schedules will appear on all pages. Training is nearly complete. This week the District will go live with the new Content Management System at a cost of about $2,000 annually. Nicole Erickson reviewed Educator Effectiveness and the Performance Evaluation System. She went over criteria, observation and growth. Ken Luety asked if the methods used were time-consuming. Both Brewer and Erickson confirmed that it requires time and attention, but both feel the effort put forth is worth it. Third grade teacher Teresa Pickarts gave noted (as a second career teacher) she was in favor of the system (improved from past evaluations given at year end). The process allows for self-evaluation, feedback, observation and growth.

The School Board was recognized during School Board Appreciation Week by Pickart’s third grade class. Ben Simmons noted that the sixth grade field trip to the Luety and Gunnick Farms were a hit. Parent Teacher Conferences start next week. Oct. 18 begins the DC trip to be attended by fifty students. Matt Huettl noted academic career planning will involve local businesses. CES Principal Heidi Simms noted building tours, testing data, and October 31 parade plans are in process. CHS Principal Janae Gile reported that the Student Council raised $250. The goal is for each building to raise $600 to purchase protective gear for the Fire Department outfitted to respond to emergency management situations. Fire drill and lock down practices have happened.

Jeff Spiwak reported playoff status for football, girl’s golf and cross country were also progressing well. He also is looking at moving out of the Rock Valley Conference and into a smaller conference. Brewer added this process could take years. Plans are underway for Meadow Park visits. Game sportsmanship has been very good. Ken Luety noted that seeing staff attend games was encouraging.

Sally Barrington thanked Bob Butler for his help with setup and repair. Nicole Erickson mentioned a Title 1 Grant Application. Bob Butler is working on carryover projects. Three buses are in service, transporting 583 students. Drivers have received evacuation training. Julie Cornelius reported all three cafeterias have passed inspection and thanked Bob Butler for repairing the mixer (replacement would have cost $14,000). Brewer complimented Cornelius on her excellent oversight and noted that the Inspectors felt the District could be a model for other schools.

Jim Brewer asked for the Board to consider comparing the attorney service used currently with alternate sources. He also asked for permission to offer carryover sick days for new hires as incentive. The Board approved immediate action with a maximum number of 20 days. An all-day Board Retreat date was set for December 14 at Copper Falls to review policy, mission and vision. Evelyn Propp will attend a conference in Elkhorn.

The meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. and went into closed session.