The Wild Rose School Board considered a petition from a community member for creating an open ballot for representation on the school board during a July 15 meeting.
Tara Anderson presented a signed petition of those who felt there should be an open ballot for the election of Board members. She stated that other school districts have open ballots, and that there shouldn’t be a need for districted represented areas for Board member election when Pleasant View Elementary is no longer in existence. A closed session discussion had taken place on the matter, with legal counsel being consulted. It appears that the Board member election process can be changed according to statues.
Another concerned parent had approached the Board in regards to possible curriculum changes, and hoped that Critical Race Theory would not be taught in the school district – she’s definitely against it.
Board President Sandie Anderson pointed out that she has no knowledge of the administration receiving any mandate to teach it, nor has there been any thoughts to change the curriculum to support the Theory. She also invited this mother to speak to the administration if she has any other concerns or questions regarding the subject.
In other business the Board approved a tentative budget for the 2021-22 school year which will be presented at the annual meeting in August. The budget is said to be unbalanced, and that it will be finalized later this fall.
Student fees were reviewed for the 2021-22 school year, with some suggested changes approved.
The second reading of the revisions made to policies Section 1: School Board Foundations, Governances, and Operations, 1.24-Fund Balance, and Section 7: Auxiliary Services 7.14-School Wellness were approved.
The public notice of student academic standards was approved by the Board.
As for the planning of the summer of 2021 and the 2021-22 school year, it was pointed out that people were invited to serve on a committee to help make the school reopening in the fall successful. It was mentioned that the CDC recommended that facial coverings be worn on buses through at least Sept. 13.
Zachary Shulfer was recently hired as the middle/high school vocal music teacher, and that Weston Alix was hired as the middle/high school at-risk/alternative education teacher.
The annual meeting/budget hearing will take place on Monday, Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. The next Board meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26.
