Board members Julie Stephenson, Larry Dolphin, and Lisa Hay were honored for their service on the Board.
The Mineral Point School Board had very few action items on its agenda Monday night, and instead, spent a great deal of the meeting hearing reports. (Scroll past the video for more article text)
The meeting began with recognitions of State Delta Kappa Gamma Literary Contest, State FFA Speaking Contest, State Herb Kohl Award Winners, and State Spelling Bee.
Matt Austin, high school science teacher, also made a presentation to the Board, along with student Martina Steffes. They showcased videos physics students made which break down sports into physics. Superintendent Luke Francois mentioned this is a perfect example of how curriculum infuses digital literacy.
Francois also recognized the Gridiron Club for its most recent donation of $22,000 to support lighting on the football field. The group’s continued support will help football start being played at the new field as early as this fall, he added.
Outgoing School Board members Larry Dolphin, Lisa Hay, and Julie Stephenson were also thanked for their service. This meeting was the final regular meeting of their tenure on the board. To read more about each, visit: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=42258640
Co-chairs of the Elementary School Planning Committee Leah McDonald and Maggie Tucker updated the Board on the latest efforts surrounding the committee, including a recap of the group’s April 2 meeting, as well as the Design Workshop held March 20 and 21.
The next effort will be a community survey that will be available both electronically, as well as hard copy. Each 53565 residence will be mailed a copy of the survey with a return date of April 30.
The feedback will be valuable to the committee as they look to make a recommendation to the Board in May regarding capacity and accessibility concerns at the elementary.
The survey will help to gauge the community’s tolerance to potential tax impacts, as well as find out what topics the community can use more education around.
If you would like to learn more about the ESPC’s efforts, visit: https://mineralpointschools.org/elementary-planning-committee/
(Go to the 17 minute mark of the video)
The Board heard a report from members of the FAST committee.
The Mineral Point School District in collaboration with Mineral Point Elementary School and its parents completed the Families & Schools Together program during October through December. FAST at the Elementary School level is an award-winning, eight-week model program that targets the whole family and participation is strictly voluntary. It strengthens family bonds, strengthens connections with community by building trust, and empowers kids to succeed in school and life.
Surveys following the completion of the program showed 75% of participants reported improved family relationships while 89% reported having an improved relationship with their FAST child.
Some quotes from participants included:
“I feel that I understand my child better, and I realize how important it is to spend time with him independently.”
“I feel it (F.A.S.T.) has helped me to gain relationships that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Elementary Principal Matt Renwick said there is interest in running another session of FAST, possibly next school year.
(Go to the one hour, 18 minute, 30 second mark)
Francois presented a brief update to the Budget Development Timeline, mentioning he plans to have a preliminary budget ready for Board review at the April 23 Finance Committee meeting. (Go to the one hour, 33 minute, 45 second mark)
The Board reviewed curriculum and instruction with High School Principal Mitch Wainwright per Policy 334, which is here: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=42238159
(Go to the one hour, 36 minute mark)
The Board approved the credit card statement and bills payable by a 5-0-1 vote with Jeff Basting abstaining and Kelly Gundlach absent.
The Board unanimously approved two purchases over $5,000–the first being for books at the elementary for individual classroom teachers’ libraries (funded through Title I federal dollars), and the second being for replacement of an elementary kitchen cooler/compressor that had stopped working over spring break.
The Board also unanimously approved the proposed budget amendments, which is normal procedure to get accounts cleaned up at the end of the school year.
(Go to the one hour, 50 minute mark)
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting is set for Monday, May 14 at 6:30 pm. This will be the first full meeting for the newly elected Board members Nathan Chambers, Everett Lindsey, and Aaron Dunn.