By BARBARA PROFFITT | November 16, 2022

The USD 346 School Board met on Nov. 14 and began their meeting with amendments to the agenda to add a discussion on evaluations and a presentation by members of the FFA.

The board then approved the consent agenda which included the agenda for the meeting as amended; minutes of the previous meeting; payment of bills and payroll; and a contract with Diehl, Banwart and Bolton, CPA.

JLHS FFA members gave a brief presentation of a demonstration of a meeting similar to one they will enact during an upcoming competition at the Leadership Conference they will attend at Mission Valley High School. 

Genea Bruner gave a report on Successful Practices. She and other staff members spoke regarding the seven mindsets and how lessons for them are handled at each school.

Terry Sercer with Diehl, Banwart and Bolton CPA reported the district audit went smoothly and no violations were found.

Elementary Principal Mark Proffitt reported on his building, noting that the Third Grade Salute to Veterans was well-attended and students did a remarkable job.

Junior high and high school Principal Bob Beckham noted that the school had a great fall sports season and their Veterans Day program was also well attended.

Superintendent Shawn Thomas thanked district staff for their hard work on the audit process and also thanked Bruner and her crew for the recent inservice they put on.

Thomas then stated that he had experts look at the track due to thinning of the top layer and that a resurfacing of it with striping could be completed over the summer break for a cost of $130,000 and asked the board to think about it.

Thomas then noted another item he would like the board to consider is a grant opportunity to transition their owned buses from diesel powered to other options.

Discussion then turned to auditorium stage floor repairs and Thomas stated a bid had been submitted to resurface the floor with a urethane covering for less than $20,000. 

Thomas explained that a wood floor would have to be done over the summer break whereas this can be done over Christmas break providing a good floor in time for spring performances. The board then approved the bid as presented and authorized Thomas to get it scheduled.

Following a brief discussion, it was determined that each board member will do their evaluations and get them to Max Krull for review prior to the next meeting.

The board then entered into executive session for 20 minutes for personnel matters.

Following the executive session the board updated the classified employment list to include the employment of Sandy Thompson and Austin Weber as JLHS custodians. 

The board then updated extra duty list to include Christa Holt as head junior high girls basketball coach and Josh Randall as assistant junior high boys basketball coach.