The Skyline R-2 Board met in regular session on Thursday, Sept. 16, with six members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved.
In old business the board approved the Budget Message that was presented for the 2010-2011 budget.
The board then discussed how the new bus routes were working out. The morning routes are approximately one hour and 15 minutes long. The afternoon routes had to be changed slightly but are now running about the same as the morning.
The board also reviewed how much propane and electricity has been used over the last five years to see if the energy efficiency grant work had saved any money. Since putting in new windows and lighting the number of kilowatts used has dropped and the propane has remained about the same.
Several items were discussed and approved in new business:
Five program evaluations were reviewed and approved with board recommendations added: Differential Instruction, Finance, Safety, Parents as Teachers, and Facilities and Grounds.
One area of recommendation from the board was pre- and post-assessments for reading and math for students in tutoring to see if progress is being made.
The Parents As Teachers Program is still functioning at full scale even though the state has reduced funding for this year, so anyone interested in the program can call the office for more information.
The board then discussed and approved the noncertified staff to receive comp time for any hours worked over 40 hours in a week, therefore eliminating overtime pay.
The Board was presented with an extended warranty option for one of the buses which they reviewed and then decided not to move forward with it.
Several policies and regulations were reviewed and approved.
Updates on policies included the Bullying Policy, Administering of Medication to Students, Suspension, and other discipline issues.
Tuition rates for high schools was discussed again. It has been questioned why Ava charges so much more tuition than other schools. Ava charges more for tuition for the high school students they receive from K-8 schools than what the K-8 schools receive from the state per child. It was noted that Ava has to pay staff and other expenditures just the same as any school but the few students Skyline sends to Ava does not cause Ava to hire more staff. Norwood, on the other hand, charges significantly lower rates and shows a stronger desire for Skyline students to attend their school.
The Superintendent’s Report reviewed statistics for August which showed enrollment of 79 and 11 preschoolers with an attendance of 98 percent. The board was presented with a letter from a parent expressing appreciation of the teachers and staff at Skyline for their hard work and willingness to work with the students.
Skyline received full accreditation on Aug. 17, 2010.
The middle school teachers applied to be part of an eMINTS grant. The grant has been accepted and the school will soon learn whether it is a part of the grant and to what extent.
eMINTS is a technology-based program providing computers, Smartboards, equipment, and training for teachers.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m.
