The regular meeting was held starting at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting agenda, August meeting minutes, and treasurer’s report were approved with no changes.
During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, a high school class advisor asked if Homecoming floats could be pulled around the track with a light vehicle during the Homecoming game. A group of visitors voiced concerns with the school district’s policy for quarantining students who have been exposed to someone with Covid and how they feel this is discriminating against vaccinated/anti-vaccinated students.
Mr. Kyle Drake presented the board with the results of the financial audit for the 2020-21 school year. The district is in excellent financial shape, mostly due to Covid monies received. The new financial services staff have done an excellent job. Our internal controls have been very good, and the board and administration have done very well not to “blow through” extra funds. Audit reports are available in the administration office.
The board authorized the district to take out a loan with County National Bank against future sinking fund revenues. This loan would cover several items which were not able to be finished with funds from the bond project, such as resurfacing the track, parking lot repairs and expansion, bathroom partitions and counters, and sidewalks and curbs. The loan will allow the district to finish these items quicker than waiting for sinking fund revenues for the next several years.
The board approved the completion of the remaining alternates from Bid Package 2. These alternates include electrical upgrades and heating/cooling units for the gyms and cafeterias in all three buildings.
The board approved the purchase of Dynamic brand air cleaners to improve the quality of the air throughout our buildings. These air cleaners will trap airborne pathogens as they pass through the HVAC system and will save on the replacement filters we currently use. We had already budgeted for this project through ESSER grant funds.
The board approved the purchase of a used Kubota front mower which will take place of the old Toro mower.
The old mower’s engine needed a complete rebuild, and the frame would probably not have held up through another snow season. The new mower will also make it easier to mow certain areas at the secondary complex.
The board approved the first reading of NEOLA policy updates, Vol. 35, No. 2 – February 2021.
Superintendent Denney reported to the board members on the following:
- The numbers from the Jackson County Health Dept. of new Covid cases in schools and the surrounding were shown.
- There will be JCEC informational meetings for students/parents in September and October at the ISD.
- Our 5th graders went to Camp McGregor on Sept. 2nd for team building activities and leadership skills. When they returned, our social worker spent time with them on social emotional learning, with a lot of positive feedback.
- A graph from the Cascades Conference shows that Hanover-Horton has won more conference championships than any other school in the conference, with boys winning 68 and girls winning 67, for a total of 135 championships.
- A huge shout out to Jacquie Melling for all the hours she puts in with Covid contract tracing, especially over Labor Day weekend.
- Thank you to staff for doing their best.
The board members commented on the following:
- Welcome back to staff and students, and thank you for all you do.
- The board will consider looking at the amount of quarantine time that students are subject to in regard to vaccinated/unvaccinated. Please have patience, as this is a work in progress. It will take some time to gather data and look at case numbers.
- We do need to have special education and 504 plans in place for students in quarantine.
- Can we do some kind of beautification project at the secondary complex, such as planting trees near Folks Rd. to help hide the drainage ditches?
- We will look into the possibility of having floats pulled on the track at Homecoming.
The regular meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
