Superintendent Viola LaFontaine informed the school board Thursday about the money and briefly discussed where it is to be used. Most of the $1,925,700 is for building repairs such as fixing roofs throughout the district, LaFontaine said, .
A sheet in the board packet that gives the breakdown of where the money may go states the rest is for science and reading books for all grades, busses, supplies and equipment in kindergarten and alternative rooms, library books, a copy machine, freshman orientation, a library security system, strategic planning, curriculum development and music program support.
In an unrelated matter, LaFontaine said the district is accredited. Representatives of AdvanceED visited the district to assess its strengths and weaknesses to determine its eligibility for accreditation.
The AdvanceED report states the district is to be commended for its building crisis plan, assessments to focus on student learning that increase academic achievement and the cohesiveness of its technology use. AdvanceED recommends cohesiveness with its long-range planning and creation of a facilities plan to provide modern, safe learning environments for the students. LaFontaine assured the board that during the district’s strategic planning process and the development of her professional goals for the next school year, the recommendations are to be addressed.
Meanwhile, the board reviewed a spread sheet with the list of mill levy comparisons in 13 North Dakota communities. The school levy for 2008 is 201.53, and the information shows Dickinson being the only community with a lower levy with 197.53.
“Of the 13 largest cities in North Dakota, we have the second lowest. I think it’s important to note that, because taxes are an important source of discussion,” said board member Malcolm Pippin.
In other business, the board:
• Recognized Williston Middle School Principal Marsha Armogost for her recent North Dakota Middle Level School Principal of the Year award and four teachers who are retiring after many years of service in Bob Bartz, Dennis Hoffer, Mary Gravalin and Allan Knutson.
• Heard the Adequate Yearly Progress report is to be released to the public on Wednesday, and a report is to be given at the June 18 board meeting.
• Approved advertising for a high school social studies teacher, a high school English teacher and a kindergarten teacher.
• Approved Rosemary Sullivan as a full-time math teacher at the high school. She is currently part-time and can be full-time during the 2009-2010 school year.
• Approved the purchase of 110 Chemistry books dated in 1993, 230 Biology books dated in 2002, 200 Physical Science books dated in 1999 and 40 Honors Physical Science books dated in 1999 for a total of $46,500. Stimulus money is more than likely to be used to buy the books.
• Approved continuing with Eide Bailly’s services for the 2008-2009 audit, as long as the company’s proposal is between $13,000 and $17,000. It has charged $25,000 for doing two years’ worth of audits. The company has offices in Fargo and Bismarck.
• Had three teens help run the meeting for an Elks Youth Day activity. They were Max Longtin, Chelsey Grad and Caitlin Nicks. Their decisions were ratified by the board.
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