School board hears expansion project progress
The Tea Area School Board met Nov. 18 and learned about the high school expansion project progress.
Operations manger Wayne Larsen noted the south end of the project just has a few punch list items left, otherwise they are using the auxiliary gym and locker rooms. On the north end of the project, the steel crew has finished the catwalk in the performing arts center. They are working on putting bar joists and decking behind the stage and the science wing. Larsen was hoping everything would be roofed and enclosed by the first week of December. Concrete has been poured in the floors of the science wing, behind the stage and sidewalks. Electricians are working in the office area and classroom wing. The cabinets have arrived for band instruments and risers have come for the choir room.
Curriculum director Samantha Walder reported on the district’s state report card along with the building principals. District-wide students were 56 percent proficient in math which was second in the ESD Conference and the state average was 44 percent. In ELA they were at 57 percent with the state average at 51 percent. Science was 47 percent proficient with the state average at 43 percent.
Walder said each building has education goals that they are working toward.
The board approved the resignations of Matt DeBoer for technology, Joan Jewell for foodservice, Garrett Krupski for Venture custodian, Melisa Marso as Frontier teacher and Lila Ockenga as special education paraprofessional (effective January 2025).
They approved the new hires of Allen Corkill for maintenance ($23.10 per hour), Garret Engel as custodian at Venture ($18.53 per hour), Carissa Grewe as middle school foodservice ($20.52 per hour), Holly Kerkman as paraprofessional ($20.27 per hour) and Maddie Morris as special education paraprofessional.
They recognized Shane Ludens’ transfer from Chromebook technician to technology assistant middle school and high school focus.
The board approved the second reading of Policy DJF - Federal Procurement Policy.
Chad Meyer and Jay Ryan were appointed to the calendar committee along with the two student board representatives. They will meet Nov. 25.
The board approved the updated job descriptions for technology assistant - middle school & high school focus, technology assistant - elementary and District Education Center focus, Chromebook technician and transportation mechanic.
Superintendent Jennifer Lowery said the student enrollment number as of Sept. 30 was 2,537, which is within 99 percent accuracy for what they budgeted for.
Lowery noted they had 284 people complete the employee engagement survey. For the most part, the survey was positive with high scores in the area of employees feeling like their positively impacts those they serve.
Lowery said the snow day plan’s change is that she has to say by 2 p.m. the day before if they are going to have a virtual snow day. This notification will go out to everyone.
The district planned to hold a Network of Improvers event on Tuesday with 71 registrants.
The board has received a number of public input on the activities policy handbook. Board president Jason Bennett is putting together a 10-person committee to discuss it. One person spoke on their concerns on the policy. She felt the the policy is vague and outdated. Knowing that there will school and community feedback is good, she said. She wanted to make sure that the policy is being looked at and reviewed.