Greenwood School District Reviews Governance Training

Monday, October 2nd, 2023 -- 2:01 PM

The Greenwood School Board reviewed their Governance Training at their meeting on Wednesday.

District Administrator Joe Green reported that both boards (Greenwood and Loyal) are wanting to work together and establish on how to get there. Both boards want to meet more to learn about each other’s resources to maximize.

Administrators at both districts are looking at setting up a planning meeting on October 11th, to schedule a joint board retreat on October 18th, with the main topic being setting up a joint vision & 5-year plan.

The Board also approved a milk machine donated by FFA Alumni, approved the purchase of Middle-High School Science textbooks, and approved the Start College Now applications. They also approved the bid for the painting of exterior doors from Steve Travis Painting.

A 2023-24 Preliminary Budget update was shared and approved, approved the 6th Grade Band agreement, and approved the HRS Purchase Agreement for year two and three. They also had the first reading of policy update 32.2.

The Board also approved the 2023-24 Co-Curricular Contracts approved as presented including:

• Ryan Joten – MS Boys Basketball Coach;
• Nathan Hederer – MS Boys Basketball Coach;
• Shawn Kolano – MS Girls Basketball Coach;
• Carey Bryhn – MS Softball Coach;
• Eric Johnson – MS Baseball Coach;
• Heidi Ashbeck – Associate Head Softball Coach;
• Steven Geisthardt – Track Head Coach;
• And Alex Volvosek – High School Football Assistant Coach for second half of Fall 2023-34 season.

The Board also approved a donation of personal care items from the Greenwood American Legion Auxiliary, student classroom supplies from the United Methodist Church, and a stand up desk with podium and charging station from Spectrum Furniture.

In employment matters, the Board approved the resignation of  Lisa Hinker as a District Administrative Assistant and Dolores Horn as a Middle/High School Office Assistant. Nathan Bier was hired as the Middle/High School Band Teacher. They also approved Barbara Shain and Walter Wesenberg as volunteers.

The Board also heard the various reports. Elementary Principal Shane Lilly reported on:

• September 8th, they had 70+ grandparent/reading buddy to read with the elementary students;
• Big Buddies program has been implemented;
• EPIC group is providing meals for teaching staff for parent/teacher conferences;
• Planning a game night in January for middle/high school parent/teacher conferences;
• Kids Club has been in session for 4 weeks and is going well, students work on reading and homework with help of staff and students, Loyal School District is looking at starting the program;
• First grade has a large hydroponic grow system and are planting lettuce seeds, this lends towards their ARC curriculum;
• And Greenwood Way expectations have been reviewed.

Dean of Students Jenny Mayenschein reported on:

• Homecoming Week is Oct. 9-14, and activity plans are underway;
• Senior Privileges started September 28th;
• Academic detentions are being assigned to students with missing homework assignments;
• Fall Sports updates shared: Dig Pink night scheduled at next Tuesday’s volleyball game with two families receiving funds from this event;
• Middle School Cross Country doing well and taking 1st at multiple events;
• 1-Act Play (joined with Loyal) and is going forward onto State;
• East Gym bleacher install planned for mid/late October;
• Six student/athletes will be attending the Cloverbelt Leadership Summit.

District Administrator and Middle/High School Principal Joe Green reported on:

• Parent-Teacher Conferences scheduled district wide on the evening of Sept. 28th;
• High Reliability Schools (HRS) training scheduled for the morning of Sept. 29th, with Greenwood and Loyal staff, followed by Guiding Coalition meeting in the afternoon to review data from surveys received;
• School Forest has been logged out, completely done with funds less than expected due to quality of wood;
• Landing area to be discussed;
• WASB Regional Meeting scheduled for Oct. 3rd in Rothschild;
• College Prep English (10 juniors) and transportation updates shared;
• Exchange Students from Spain, France, Germany and Latvia are enrolled for the 2023-24 school year;
• After school detention and academic support update shared, this is a teacher driven program with staff working with students;
• High School scheduling updates shared with Mr. Werner and Mrs. Nikolai are working on this soon to get a jump start on this process;
• A special board meeting is needed before Oct 1st, to renew the cross-country coop that is up for renewal, the special board meeting will be scheduled and posted for Friday, Sept. 29th at 8:00 am.

Board Member Jamie Gardner discussed items from the CESA 10 meeting including:

• Shared option to have meetings off site with Abbotsford School District hosting the meeting with tour of facilities;
• CESA 10 has solar panel system program up and running and planning on having this as a teaching program for CESA 10 schools.

Dean Linder reported on the Joint Board Committee including:

• Non-coop team coaching staff would like to met to discuss their programs and then follow up with discussions with athletic directors;
• Curriculum discussed with sharing of courses discussed and offer and expand more opportunities for our students;
• No survey discussions (based on no recommendation from either board members) was on the agenda for this meeting.

Mr. Green reported on the Co-Curricular Committee meeting including:

• Elementary is starting a Flag Football program for 1st-6th grade with more than 65 students signed up between Greenwood and Loyal students;
• The high school football program will be sending 10 athletes each week towards the program.

Mr. Green also reported on the Building and Grounds Committee meeting including:

• Making sure buildings are sound and winter ready and walking around to make sure that we make note of repairs;
• Security cameras will be set up at the outdoor classroom.

The Board also heard a presentation. Greenwood Elementary teachers, Kim Kolano & Amanda Schlough gave a presentation on Fastbridge, the new screening (Reading & Math) three times a year, and progress system with reports shared on student progress. Provides instructional materials to assist with progress reports. Board requested and Mr. Green suggested a report as part of the mid-year AGR report.

Finally, during the communications from the public portion of the meeting, Mrs. Michele Green addressed the board with the following: thanking the board for all that they do, grateful for the staffing classrooms to the fullest. My daughter is able to participate in numerous clubs and activities. Thankful for how they govern for OUR kids. Thank you and please continue to do your best for our students at Greenwood School District.

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