School board approves addition of kindergarten, math teachers

The Lennox School Board met June 8 and started the meeting with executive session to discuss the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of any public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee.

The board did not take any action after executive session.

In the superintendent’s report, Adam Shaw thanked the community for the support on the opt-out. No one submitted a petition to refer the opt-out to a vote so the opt-out will go into effect. He said it will be interesting to see what happens in the new legislative session after the results of the primary election. On June 15, they will start on the parking lot and will be wrapped up by the end of July. He thanked the board for their service over the last year.

The board approved the addition of a kindergarten teacher  for a total of three sections and a junior high math teacher. Without an additional math teacher, they would have had 32-34 students in the classroom for one math teacher. Business manager Angela Arlt noted that overall it looks like enrollment is lower. She said they will use opt-out money for these two teachers and any budget shortfalls that might arise.

The board approved the resignations of Trey Manitz for assistant boys golf coach and Paula Terpstra for special education counselor. They also approved the new contracts for Kayla Havrevold as LWC Intermediate student council adviser, Patrricia Barnhardt as assistant soccer coach and Tosha Gray for summer driver education (driving).

They approved the consolidated application assurances for federal programs, as well as the comprehensive plan. They approved the English Language Learners (ELL) plan and the family engagement plan.

The board approved the IDEA assurances. They approved the Medicaid administration agreement with Southeast Area Cooperative.

They approved the increases to the foodservice rates. All rates increased by 10 cents. Arlt noted they lost money on foodservice for the past school year due to less students eating school lunch. She said a lot of districts are seeing the same trend. They do have the fund balance to cover it right now. 

The board voted to close the bond redemption fund #32 for the original high school bond account to the bond redemption fund #33 for the high school bond for the LHS addition and PAC. O. They also approved closing the custodial account 71-415-106 for the senior class account into the general fund per Policy #3005.

Shaw noted they have 14 open enrollments into the district.