Morrison School Board Conducts June Meeting

By LYNNETTE FORTH | For The Prairie Advocate News

MORRISON – Members of the Morrison Board of Education met for a regular meeting on June 19th in the Superintendent’s office. A hearing on the 2011-2012 districts was the first topic of the evening. Suellen Girard commented on the budget, stating “In the past year the revenue side has been what we expected by and large. The biggest changes come in the expenditure side.”

In the report from Superintendent Girard, it was noted that teachers have been working very hard on revising the Common Core Standards. Girard informed the board that the money being received from the Race to the Top campaign has gone up. Girard also said, “The SCRIP program has been really well received, and I hope we can continue to spread the word about the program.” SCRIP is a fundraising program for schools.

High School Principal Scott Vance notified board members that graduation took place on May 27th, and despite the heat, the ceremony went very well. Social Studies teacher Ben Sondgeroth was recently awarded a grant for technology updates at the high school. The girls basketball team will be traveling to the Wisconsin Dells at the end of the month to participate in a two day tournament. The MHS golf team recently had a fundraising golf outing at Cross Creek, with 72 participants.

Vance also informed the board that the MHS class of 1962 will be making a donation similar to that of the classes of 1960 and 1961. “We were very excited to hear that,” Vance stated. Members of the 1962 class will be touring the buildings in the future.

Junior High Principal Darryl Hogue presented his notes to the board, stating that he recently attended a two day math workshop with Scott Van Zuiden and Maxine Wayne hosted by Sterling. Hogue and Jan Scott attended a three day workshop on teacher mentoring programs. The workshop focused on training the mentor who will then work closely with the new teacher. A draft copy for a mentoring program in Morrison that meets the state’s guidelines has been composed.

ISAT scores are in and the preliminary data looks promising. Figures for reading and math remain high at 91.5%.

Joe Robbins informed board members that all of the year end activities went well. The Southside awards assembly was well attended and many awards were presented to students for their outstanding efforts this year. Many interviews have been conducted to fill open positions for the upcoming school year. Discipline and scheduling committees have met to plan for next year.

The strategic planning committee report showed every area making good progress. Technology use has shown an increase in student’s ability to stay on task, and all life safety projects are finished.

Doug Pannier commented on the recently held Finance Committee meeting, stating, “Given the issues we have faced, I think we have done a good job. R.C. Smith has reduced our contract by $80,000.00.”

Cathleen Vegter reported that the Board Policy meeting showed “not real surprises, but included a lot of 5 year updates.”

A closed session was held for the appointment, employment of specific employees and for deliberations on salary schedules for one or more classes of employees. Following the closed session, the meeting continued.

In the Treasurers Report as of May 31st 2012, Girard noted, “Things are tough, but I am really pleased with where we are. We need to keep reducing and still providing good programs for our kids.”

The next meeting of the Morrison Board of Education will be held on July 31st 2012.