ELY- The number of home school enrollments is down slightly this year in the ISD 696 district, and board members discussed possibilities for bringing those students back into the system’s schools at their most recent meeting.
As of Oct. 6, there were 27 home school students ranging from age seven to 17. Board Chair Ray Marsnik pointed out that last year there were 34 students being home schooled, “So there was a drop of seven from the previous year.”
Board member Tony Colarich asked, “Is there anything we can do to encourage people to send their students to school?”
Washington Elementary Principal Anne Oelke asked if Colarich meant outreach, and both Oelke and Memorial High School Principal Jeff Carey maintained that home school enrollment continues to be primarily based on religious preferences with a few exceptions due to COVID. Superintendent John Klarich also chimed in.
“There’s a lot of online learning. That wasn’t so popular way back when. It wasn’t as developed as it’s getting to be now.”
“We had a few come back this year that are doing parttime and taking a couple of classes here, so that’s a step in the right direction,” Carey responded.
Facility project
Most of Monday’s meeting was spent discussing the 21st Century Facility Project.
First, we’ll talk about some concrete work that we have planned for this week. We have a little heating problem, and we’re starting to get some of the railing,” Klarich said.
Facilities Director Tim Leeson then took over the update.
“Concrete is scheduled to be here Thursday and Friday, and hopefully that finishes all of it,” he said. “I think there’s about 200 yards that they need to pour and finish.”
Leeson moved on to the next concern.
“Heating is a question that’s been going around as to why we haven’t had it,” he said.
The problem was discovered to be plastic pipe shavings that had gotten in a propane line when it was broken last summer during storm sewer work.
“We took apart some regulators outside of the building and found pieces of plastic piping that some of the shavings from when they cut it and patched it were in the regulator, so instead of putting on the new regulators right away, they want to blow that line out which is going to happen on Wednesday,” he said. “Then they’ll put on the new regulators, and hopefully we should be good by then.”
Leeson also mentioned that the new railings that have been on back order may be installed by the end of the week.
Klarich then presented the board with bills and a credit related to contract change orders.
He explained that most of the items were already in the budget and previously approved, with the bills just coming through now. The board discussed several billed items including the score board credit, concrete flatness, adjusting cabinets, plumbing vents, housekeeping pads, kitchen electrical work, and cost for materials and labor for temporary railing installation.
Leeson assured the board that the wood from the temporary railings would be put to use.
“We are keeping that lumber, just so you know. It’s going to the wood shop, so they can use it,” he said.
When Klarich got to the bill from Rachel Contracting he joked, “I don’t know if I want to talk about this one.” The bill for $549,495.94 for excess blasting came as no surprise to the board as it was one discussed at length at the last meeting.
“Tim and I talked about this today. This is extra,” Klarich said. “We’re the victim of circumstance of having all that ledge rock and having to go that extra mile to fit everything in. Unfortunately, during a big construction project like this, things like this do come up.”
“These inovices date back to last winter,” board member Tom Omerza said.
“I’m sure hoping this is the last of it,” Colarich said.
Klarich chuckled and named off several items including the concrete work and railings that are still to be completed. “We’re going to get these billings for a long time,” he said.
In other business the board:
• Hired Justin Olson as temporary part time custodian (4 hrs/day, 5 days/week student contact days ) through June 5, 2023.
• Approved temporary At Will Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant Mentoring Agreement with Mary Wognum effective Oct. 11.
• Approved policy consent agendas that included third reading and adoption of: Policy 416 - Drug and Alcohol testing; Policy 418 – Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School; Policy 524 - Internet and Acceptable Use Safety Policy; and Policy 904 - Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Non-school Personnel.
• Discussed exploring various funding opportunities including pursuing a grant through Lake Country Power.
• Approved a proposal for afterschool programming. Oelke said, “So far there’s about 30 kids Monday through Friday, K-6 grade (participating). Marsnik pointed out, “It’s the good work that ECR does all the time. I think it’s a worthwhile expenditure.”
• Approved a Letter of Understanding between AFSCME 295 and ISD 696 regarding an item missed during previous contract negotiations.
Approved the purchase of a scoreboard and shot clocks.
The next regular meeting of the board will be Monday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m.