Board of Ed considers increased expectations and random drug testing

The Kimball Board of Education discussed increasing academic expectations as well as providing additional support to struggling students during High School Principal Eugene Hanks’ report at the June 12 board meeting.

“Is there anyway we can raise the academic bar?” board member Brad Reader asked Hanks,” I know we did that a couple of years ago with the ‘no F’ policy.”

Hanks suggested that a committee be formed, similar to the committee formed when the current policy was adopted, to review the policies and how best to increase academic expectations. The previous committee included the activities director, principal, superintendent, counselor, teachers, board members and parents.

“We can get a group of stakeholders together to look, not only at that, but all the different things that tie into it,” Hanks said. “Items, in addition to the eligibility policy, the committee could look at would be the no zero policy, homework policy – quality assignments vs. busy work and possible intervention like tenth period like we do now. Those are things to discuss and tie them in together.”

Board members asked if educators’ input could be obtained over the summer, though Hanks said that it would be difficult to do so over their summer break and he further suggested that the subject would require a significant amount of time.

Though the board attempted to pin down a concrete time line in the near future, Hanks reiterated that more time would likely be needed for educator involvement.

“My recommendation would be to look at it in the first quarter, or the second quarter, because we can go back and make a change,” Hanks said.

According to staff, conversations at the High School regarding increased expectations and support are already ongoing, but to choose a few stakeholders without hearing the majority of ideas would not be highly effective.

“As staff, I really think High School staff members need time to discuss this. There are a lot of thoughts, a lot of ideas about what is working and what is not,” vocal music teacher Kristi Hiles-Smith said. “There has got to be some general discussion first, then put together a committee with stakeholders. I don’t know what the time line would be for that, but I think there are a lot of people with valid ideas to be heard.”

The board settled on Superintendent Marshall Lewis’ suggestion to set a goal for policy changes by the end of the first high school quarter or junior high trimester with an absolute deadline to have changes implemented by the end of the first high school semester.

The district hoped to have necessary repairs completed on the stadium as well as renovations in the restrooms and concession stand under the stadium by the beginning of the coming school year, the process board has yet to make a decision.

According to board member Brad Reader, who also sits on the building and grounds committee, the specifications to seal the stadium are being finalized so quotes can be gathered.

“When it comes to the concession stands, we are going to decide the final use of that structure, so that is still in negotiations,” Reader said.

The board also heard the transportation committee’s recommendation to purchase three new or used 14-passenger buses no later than Oct. 1, 2017 for use as route buses.

Each of these units would be required to have a “bus package” as well as a stop arm, amber and red flashing lights, individual/activity seating with shoulder belts for the driver and all passengers.

The recommended specifications also included a heavy-duty automatic transmission, a 6.0 liter or more engine, a grille guard and an AM/FM radio with CD/MP3/USB.

The total purchase is expected to exceed $100,000. The board approved the district to seek bids with consistent specifications.

Other board actions:

Heard Hanks’ report that 14 students attended summer school and 11 were able to recover credits. Hanks further reported that this year the district sent out fewer letters seeking summer school attendance than previous years.

Approved lunch, activity and admission fees unchanged for the upcoming year and updated several policies with few or no changes.

Approved suggested changes to student and staff handbooks for the coming year, including an update to the policy in the elementary handbook regarding physical violence at school.