Graduation Site Discussion Highlights West Carroll School Board Meeting

By Michael Miller For The Prairie Advocate

SAVANNA - In a meeting well attended by students, parents and instructors, the West Carroll School Board once again dealt with the question of where to hold the 2009 high school graduation ceremony at their November 13, 2008 meeting.

After a perfunctory opening which included the roll call and review and approval of October 16, 2008 regular, special and special (closed session) minutes, the board heard and approved all financial reports, including the Treasurer's report, Accounts Payable and Activity accounts.

It was during the Public Comments portion of the agenda that the discussion of 2009 high school graduation site began in earnest, with students voicing their opinions and discussing a petition that was circulating in the high school. Gary Foltz asserted that some seniors weren't being heard and that perhaps the board should revisit where graduation should be held. Students wished to graduate in their home town, and resisted the notion of having the ceremony in another location. The issue was rejoined during the new business portion of the agenda. High School Principal Bob Lamb had recommended that graduation be held at the West Carroll High School, outdoors, with a backup plan of holding the ceremony inside the high school, the rationale being that holding it outdoors addressed the accessibility issue and provided the opportunity for higher attendance.

Board member Mike Melhus said that the graduation site has become a divisive issue every year, and that it needed to be resolved. He said he favored putting it to rest unless there was a wide movement from the student body in opposition to the planned site. Mike Highland said he would support the administration's recommendation at this time. Bill Sweeney commented that not all seniors were asked where they would like it to be held, since only the student officers were polled.

School Board president David Boyd replied that the issue is always "at rest" and yet simultaneously also always on the agenda. He said that revisiting an issue isn't necessarily a reason for division, and that the district shares facilities for a reason. He challenged everyone present to take the issue an as opportunity to join together, not pick sides, and said that merely addressing the issue doesn't mean it has to move to a different location. Nothing, he commented, stays stagnant forever.

A motion to hold the ceremony at the high school football field on May 17, 2009, with a backup plan of moving it into the gym in case of inclement weather was made and passed.

Prom night was another annual ceremony that was on the agenda. This year's prom is scheduled for Friday, May 1 from 7:30PM to 11:30PM on the Spirit of Dubuque. The board moved and approved a motion to allow early dismissal to accommodate prom preparations for attending students; these students will be allowed to dismiss at 12:40PM. No athletic games are scheduled for that day, which should further facilitate students' in their preparation plans.

Brad Field presented an update on the state of things in the technology department. He reported that 36 work orders were open and 36 were closed in the department, and that the Edline system was up and running, with teacher and parent activity was high. AlertNOW was also and up and running, with two test messages completed, including one live event, the recent water main break. Field said that some fixes are needed in the system and that he sent out forms to parents so they can update information if need be. West Carroll will be participating in the Education and Technology Conference in Springfield, which Field said will be a great opportunity to network with other educators and coordinators.

Superintendent Mathers presented his report, which included a "thank you" to the Mt. Carroll Rotary Club which donated dictionaries to all county third graders. He once again stressed the importance of attendance in the schools, and noted that the Quality Circle had its first meeting. He mentioned talking to area Chambers of Commerce and learning that Savanna is expecting an influx of 70 families in anticipation of the opening of the Thomson Correctional Facility and that they were looking for homes in the price range of $75,000 to $150,000.

The board considered several bids during the process of renewing workman's compensation insurance. A motion to approve the bid by the TGT Accident Fund for $82,055 was passed unanimously.

The board then went into closed session, to deal with the following issues; the appointment, employment, discipline, performance or dismissal or removal of specific employees, the purchase or lease of real property or setting of a price for sale or lease of district property, and student discipline cases.

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