Loyal School Board Discusses Long-Range Strategic Plan

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021 -- 9:01 AM

The Loyal School Board discussed the Long-Range Strategic Plan and discussed options to change the format of the plan with mission, vision and values as a priority.

In their closed session, they discussed the Special Education Paraprofessional applications and administrative recommendations, years of service stipend, and personnel issues.

Two teachers gave a great presentation to the Board about the changes they are implementing in the Science Department including a change to a standards based grading system and the addition of AP Courses. They thank them for their great work in the Science Department.

They tabled the decision to hire a special education teacher assistant until next month and the changes to Policy IKA, Grading Systems, was approved. The middle/high school grading system will now be based on a 4.0 rather than a 4.33 grade point average.

After much discussion, the Board approved the revised School Operational Plan. A copy of the Plan will be forwarded to each staff member and presented on the school website.

In other business, the Board approved having the district host a Clark County Immunization/Flu Clinic this fall for staff and students in the high school library and a clinic for the public, which will be held in the vestibule of the elementary school this fall.

The Board also approved field trips to the World Dairy Expo in Madison, the National FFA Convention for FFA officers and a FCCLA trip to Alma Center. The Board also approved a 2021-22 preliminary budget of $9,113,500 which includes $872,000 of ESSER funds.

They have been working on a community survey to gauge the public opinion on possible facilities improvements. The board approved the final version of the survey and it will be going out to the public in October.

A postcard will be sent in the beginning of October to all the families in the district notifying them of the upcoming survey. A paper copy of the survey will be mailed to all the families and an online option will also be available. The Board also accepted a quote from Lindner Excavating to remove the tennis courts. The work should be done this fall.

Also, the years of service, every fifth year, 3% salary increase for support staff was reinstated and the decision on the Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Assistant has not yet been made. They are still interviewing candidates.

The Board also heard the Administrators’ Reports. Elementary Principal Nancy Popp reported to the Board that Open House was a great success for the elementary with 200 students, along with a parents, attending.

Orientation Day also went well with 185 students present for the day. Numbers were lower this day than Open House because 4K did not run on Orientation Day. United Way plans to again have the NOW, or Nutrition on Weekends, program this school year.

They will be handing out a bag of food on Fridays to students that could use the extra help. Right now, they have 11 students that will benefit from this program. They hope to be adding more soon but have to receive consent from the parents before putting a student on this program.

Picture day for the elementary was on the 1st day of school, September 1st . Retake day is still being scheduled. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders had their LEP sale kick off on Thursday, September 2nd . The orders will be delivered on October 13th.

Thursday, September 30th, the 5th graders will be going to the Highground Memorial Park. K-5 teachers are assessing math and reading levels for all students using the new Fastbridge system. Title I and High Potential groups will be starting soon.

They held the first team meetings with the teaching staff and they are looking forward to using this time to create an even stronger curriculum for their students.

High School Principal Doug Dieckmann reported they kicked off the school year with staff inservice days and focused on building relationships, professional learning activity, mandatory trainings, and work time.

Open house day went well; there was a retty consistent flow of families in and around the building throughout the day. Middle School orientation meetings were well attended, with approximately 25 families at each.

Student orientation day brought many more students than they expected. They had around 90% attendance. This was a busy and crazy day with pictures, meetings, classes, emergency drills and more, but they finished the day with some fun activities outside. It was a hit with both students and staff.

Classes are in full swing and all fall sports programs in the Middle and High School have begun their seasons. He also reported that Homecoming is planned for September 24th and the dance will be on Saturday, September 25th.

Students in grades 6-10 will complete fall screenings in math and reading with their new assessment tool, FastBridge. They will implement their new GIT intervention schedule, which will include students who are receiving low grades meeting with the respective teacher during this time.

They will begin their Wednesday morning collaboration time with staff. Focus will be on setting the foundation for building teams and collaborative learning.

Finally, he mentioned the World Dairy Expo at Madison, FACE room renovation and move in, mid-term grading window, prep and planning for October 15th staff in-service, and they’ll begin Pupil Services Team meetings Challenges.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.