It would mean a return to the scheduling model of K-5 and 6-8 (middle school) as before. “That model worked well in the Ellendale building,” said Cyr.
It was agreed that the junior and senior high scheduling would “need some tweaking,” after a year of observation.
Administration alignment
When the sixth grade moves to New Richland, Cyr would like to see the school administration re-divided to K-5 and 6-12, putting the sixth-graders under the high school administration.
Wellen, currently serving as titular elementary principal, could shift some of his secondary responsibilities to the junior high/high school, to assist Cyr. After a year of observation, it might be decided to hire another licensed administrator.
“What are our options for advertising for alternate or transitional administrative staff?” asked Board Chair Rick Schultz.
Wellen replied that superintendent jobs were posting now, and that principals would be around March.
Wellen advised the board to scrutinize applicants to be sure their experience matched the district’s needs.
“There is no such thing as just an elementary or high school principal,” Wellen told the board. “All administrator candidates are K-12, so evaluate carefully.”
Nonetheless, it is a good time to be looking for someone.
“There are districts out there making significant cuts,” Wellen said. “Valuable people will be leaving them.”
No action was taken, but Wellen did remark, “It will be our recommendation that the sixth grade be moved.”
Legion Field and QCBA
Jeff Reese was on hand to represent the Quad Cities Baseball Association on behalf of Legion Field, to present a proposal for building new fencing on the baseball field, and to request that the district purchase the baseball field’s old fencing as an impetus to generate money for building a new one.
Reese mentioned also that the club was looking into acquiring a nonprofit status, and described how they were raising money, including a bean drive which had raised approximately $9,000 for the club.
Board members didn’t respond immediately, except to tell Reese about the pending discussion on the softball field, which is in considerably worse shape than the baseball field.
Three options had been considered for the softball field: 1. Put in the necessary work at Legion Field and come to some new agreement with the city, 2. Use the field at Ellendale for softball, and 3. Build a new field on the western New Richland property.
It is generally felt that using the Ellendale field would be undesirable, since the field is used by the junior high for a variety of functions, and it would disrupt the schedule.
After more discussion it was decided that the school, the city, and QCBA needed to have a meeting to examine the problems of both ball fields, and work out some kind of plan.
“Fill out a couple of possible dates, and call Wayne,” said Reese.
“If the school and the city work together, there’s grant money,” he added. “We tried a few years ago but we didn’t have enough minorities.”
Dan Stork expressed enthusiasm for a joint meeting.
“We need to look at making it more equal,” Stork said.
Other comments described the softball field as “terrible” and the baseball field as “better.”
“We can’t justify purchasing a 35-year-old fence,” said Schultz, “but we want to let you know we do not intend to abandon Legion Field.”
Good News
Wellen announced to the board that the long-awaited FEMA money is on its way. The state is finally paying out $102,000 of the $106,000 in emergency aid it has owed the district.
This is good news for a district that was expecting to have to do short-term borrowing to cover a temporary cash shortfall in the spring.
