Jan
14
Written by:
ngreditor
1/14/2010 9:19 PM
School Board elects new officers for 2010
Kenneth Purscell
A routine meeting of the Newman Grove Board of Education on January 11 left the leadership for the school in place for the coming year.
The board elected Brian Wallin as President for 2010. Other officers remaining in their positions are:
- Vice president: Roger Lyon.
- Secretary: David Fowlkes.
- Treasurer: Brad Cox.
The board voted to extend the contract for Superintendent Herb Pokorny.
In other business, the school board took up the issue of new security measures following a recent break-in. The board is currently receiving bids on security cameras, and the school has already taken steps to better secure the office area in the high school building.
The major concern, though, was balancing tightened security against relations with the community. “Groups are using the facility all the time,” offered Superintendent Pokorny. “On the one hand, all it takes is for one person to copy a borrowed key and they have access. On the other hand we’ve really only had one incident.”
Further decisions will be made at a later board meeting.
In her report, high school principal Beth Nelson presented coming curriculum decisions in Science and Math. “The state is going to require three years worth of math in order to graduate,” Nelson announced.
The new curriculum would require students to take Algebra I, Geometry, and either Algebra II or IIa. The latter course would be for those struggling with math and would not include Trigonometry. If approved, the new curriculum would go into effect in the 2010-11 school year and could include current ninth graders.
The changes in the Science curriculum would add an Introduction to Health Careers class and one in Medical Terminology every other year. This would allow the Newman Grove school to work with Northeast Community College in their academy for health careers. The academy would allow students to take background courses before attending NECC.
Superintendent Herb Pokorny commented on the recent blizzards and the need for makeup days. “We’re looking at eliminating a day off and some staff development time in the coming semester,” he said. “We’re also looking at adding fifteen minutes of access time per week and dismissing students later on Fridays.”
He reminded everyone that 2010 is an election year and that February 16 is the filing deadline for incumbent board members. Members whose terms expire this year are Colleen Albracht, Brad Cox, and David Fowlkes. Non-incumbents must file by March 1.
Copyright ©2010 Newman Grove Reporter