Board approves to place proposition to issue school building bonds on June ballot

Arthur School District awarded $500,000 Community Partnership Grant

By ARIANA CHERRY
Staff Writer

The Arthur School District held their most recent school board meeting at the Lovington Grade School on Wednesday, March 16.

Board members browsed through the consent agenda, approving the bills and treasurer’s report which were included. The total of all funds were $4,443,749.26 and the checkbook balance was reported at $4,076,145.74.

In an unaminous decision, the board also approved to submit the proposition of issuing school building bonds in the amount of $30,600,000 to the voters of the district on the June 28, 2022 general primary election. This is money that will go towards the improvement of the school buildings in our district. The recommendation for phase one was passed at a recent special school board meeting. Superintendent Shannon Cheek commented that he was hopeful and excited to move forward.

The school calendar for 2022-2023 was discussed and approved, adding October 7, 2022 as a “no school day.” There is a regional staff meeting and training event scheduled for that day. The first day of school for students will be August 17. Updated school calendars for the district can be found at: https://www.cusd305.org/.

An amended contract was approved and passed for Aramark Food Service which would allow them to recoup some extra needed dollars.

During the principal reports, Principal Steffanie Seegmiller informed the board that the senior trip is being planned as most of Washington D.C. is open with most of the mask and vaccination mandates having been dropped. There are still some limitations in some of the area buildings and businesses.

The district is beginning to fill some of the open positions in the district.

Presently the job openings for High School Special Education, JH ELA (Lovington Grade School), PE/Drivers ED and or Health, and Special Education Coordinator have all been filled.

Current Atwood-Hammond Grade School Principal, Kristin Nall will fill the new position of Special Education Coordinator, pending the hiring of her replacement.

Positions still need to be filled for: Junior High Science, School Counselor/Social Worker at Lovington Grade School, SLP, School Psychologist, High School Spanish teacher, Special Education for Lovington Grade School and High School Math.

The district is also always in need of additional substitute teachers, teacher’s aides and bus aides. An updated job opening list for these positions can be seen at https://www.cusd305.org/page/job-vacancies.

Cheek presented the current COVID data and noted that the district would continue to keep data, but would not be reporting on it during board meetings in the future. He continues to be optimistic with zero students and staff who have tested positive as of late. “Numbers are certainly trending in a much better direction!” Cheek stated.

As always, Cheek shared his appreciation with those who have been working hard for the district. He thanked the Facilities Team for their involvement in developing a solid plan for the district to follow. Cheek also congratulated Mrs. Marla Graham and Andrew Peralta for almost completing their first year as principals. He also gave thanks to all the coaches and extracurricular sponsors as they navigated through another year, thanked Mrs. Romine and Trisha Shrode of Midwest PBIS for the Community Partnership Grant that was completed.

Mrs. Romine informed the board that it was one of the longest grants she had ever written as it was 40 pages long. While it was indeed a long grant, she was able to secure the district with $500,000 grant. Only 136 of these grants are awarded in the state and there are approximately 800 school districts who usually apply. This grant will benefit both the school district and community, which will include mental health counseling to not just students in the district but also to staff, families and parents.

Personnel Report

March 16, 2022

Certified:

•Accept the letter of resignation from Holly Pitts as fourth grade teacher at LGS

•Accept the letter of resignation from Tara Hill as the Special Education Teacher at LGS

•Recommend Tara Hill as the ELA Teacher at LGS for the 2022-2023 school year

•Recommend Mitch Wilson for hire as the high school Drivers Education/PE teacher replacing Mrs. Frye

•Recommend Kristin Nall for hire as the Special Education Coordinator for the district, pending the hiring of her current position of Principal at Atwood-Hammond Grade School.

•Accept the letter of resignation from Ryan Wood as the Music and Band Teacher

Non-Certified:

•Accept the letter of resignation from Jennifer Voegel as Secretary at LGS

Extra-Curricular:

•Recommend for hire, Mitch Wilson for high school Assistant Football coach

•Recommend for hire, Jodi Kauffman for Assistant HS Softball Coach

•Accept letter of resignation from Melissa Nichols for Cheer Coach

•Recommend for hire, Brad McGill as High School Assistant Baseball Coach