By Jolene Farley
Curriculum advisory committee members Don Bosshart, Amy Christensen and Nicole Fey presented a $19,719 proposal to the school board to purchase a Scholastic language arts program.
"Elementary teachers were asked (by the committee) what they wanted to see in the language art curriculum," said elementary administrator Jil Vaughn.
The committee narrowed the search for new curriculum down to two programs.
Teachers visited area schools to see the language arts programs used in other districts and a reading specialist evaluated both programs.
The curriculum committee was very enthusiastic about the components of the Scholastic program.
"I like the layout of everything they (SCHOLASTIC, OR A PARTICULAR DISTRICT?) have," said Fey.
Bosshart liked the Scholastic magazines published monthly that mesh with existing curriculum.
The Scholastic sales representative worked with teachers to allow the swap of unwanted books and products for products they could use. Scholastic offered more than $12,220 in free books and products to the district.
"That way the teachers rearranged things so they get more of what they want and need," said Vaughn.
"The part we are most excited about is it goes with most of the books already in the library," said Christensen.
The committee assured the board that students would have no problems converting to the new program next fall.
The district has a $14,000 curriculum carryover from the previous school year that will be applied toward the purchase of materials.
The board voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the committee and purchase the program.
In other board business:
Superintendent Dave Deragisch said he hopes to bring staff in the elementary and high school closer together. Deragisch speculates there are some teachers from the two locations that do not know each other's names even though they teach in the same district.
"We are two different worlds apart," Bosshart agreed.
"The district staff development goal is to make those connections," Deragisch said.
The board raised the price of admission to athletic events for adults from $4 to $5. The admission price of $2 for students will remain the same. The district will continue to offer punch passes at $31 for adults and $15 for students. The board will consider adding a family pass at a later date.
The board was assured other districts recently raised their admission prices to athletic events.
"We're gaining an extra dollar from the visiting teams," Deragisch said.
The district recently underwent a Special Education audit by the Department of Children, Families and Learning. State representatives pulled student files and read them cover to cover.
"I am very proud to say our special education department did an outstanding job," said Deragisch.