Kimball Superintendent Owens Says Goodbye From South Dakota

After two years at the helm of Kimball Public School system, superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Owens attended her last school board meeting via Zoom from her home in South Dakota, where she will retire. Each board member thanked her for her leadership and she expressed her appreciation to the students and staff of Kimball.

Mark you calendars because on Monday, July 27 at 6:00 p.m. a candidate webinar will be held for the six candidates that will be on the ballot in November for school board.

All members were present for the regular June meeting of the Kimball School Board. The board bills were approved as well as the treasurer’s report. Lynn Vogel questioned a bill for an office chair. It was determined later that the description on the board bills was not complete and the bill included much more than an office chair.

A number of board policies were reviewed and reaffirmed including the areas of student fees, anti-bullying, multi-cultural education, academic content and parental involvement.

In monthly ongoing board reports, Carrie Tabor reported to the board on public transparency and school finances.

The board was encouraged to review and provide and necessary changes for the new handbooks for both schools. After members have time to read and contemplate the electronic draft copies of the handbooks, the issue will be revisited and discussed in the July meeting.

Incoming Jr/Sr High Principal Danielle Reader presented her report for the first time. According to Reader, 75% of students in 9-12 grade have registered for the fall semester and four students are completing their credit recovery work this summer.

In addition, the schedule has changed. The 27 minute intervention period will now be at the end of the day. Reader will institute and stress accountability this year with a school program called Homework Hour. The report said “Students who do not turn in their assignments during the day will be required to stay and complete their work.”

Other changes in scheduling include an A/B block schedule for Wednesdays and band has been moved from first period to ninth period. Reader is encouraging students to take dual credit classes.

Meanwhile, the elementary principal’s report stated that summer school started with 25 students. Also, Jr. Kindergarten will start in fall and 10 students are enrolled.

Kimball Foundation money was used to purchase a sensory pathway for Mary Lynch, the report highlighted the educational benefits of this new pathway.

The Kimball School Board will meet in-person on Monday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m, Trevor Anderson the new superintendent, will be at his first meeting for the district.