Open issues plague completion of school renovation

The $3.2 million school renovation project is still not complete, but the issues are leveling off, according to NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters. She reported on a few open items at the Jan. 14 school board meeting, noting that the O & M staff are familiarizing themselves with the new digital controls for systems management. The dramatic temperature shifts experienced in the elementary classrooms have been narrowed to 1-2 degrees. Fargo Glass & Paint replaced faulty window treatments, and some radiator end caps are yet to be installed. Tews Construction was not able to repair the blemishes in the drywall during the Christmas break due to scheduling conflicts, so their workers will be here later this month during evening hours to complete the repairs. If school officials are not satisfied with the result, Tews Construction will return this summer for a complete replacement. Final project commissioning could happen in February, should the drywall repairs be sufficient. The final payment to CTS Group is currently being held until the project is complete and all equipment is fully commissioned. To date, the school district has paid $2,534,00 to CTS Group, about 80 percent of the total.

Alyson Myhre reported that the Building Committee met to discuss front entry security improvements. The district was awarded a Homeland Security grant to help cover the costs after the agency conducted an assessment of the building and made recommendations. Plans have been sent to the committee for review, and more detailed information will be shared with the public once they determine a course of action. Mike Jacobson said he learned at the new school board member session that very few North Dakota schools lack secure front entries.

Elementary Principal Natalie Becker plans to visit the Science Learning Lab at a local armory near North Star High School and explore programming at Sullys Hill near Ft. Totten. This is in response to a request from elementary teachers for more hands-on learning opportunities in science as she plans curriculum, staffing and programming for 2019-20.

The annual Geography Bee is set for Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 9 a.m, and will take place at the Eddy County Courthouse. The class winners from grades 4-8 will complete in this county bee. The winner will go on to compete in the state Geography Bee in the spring. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey will also be taken on Jan. 23.

The Student Engagement Survey required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act is scheduled for Feb. 5. In education, student engagement refers to the degree of attention, interest and passion that students express for learning or being taught, which experts believe is an indicator of the level of motivation they have to learn and progress in their education. Past survey results show that student engagement at New Rockford-Sheyenne is markedly below other schools, and the administration has a plan to improve. Staff have been invited to participate in a shadow day with students, per Louters. Each participant will be given sample itineraries to follow for a day, including extra-curricular activities. The goal is to enhance understanding of student experiences as the staff works with KnowledgeWorks to frame the portrait of a graduate. Follow-up activities to come, including community meetings, after the observations are complete.

Final grades for the first semester were made available on Power School as of Friday, Jan. 11. Secondary Principal Avolt Baumbach noted that seven students had joined the Personalized Learning Academy program for the spring, so the program now has 17 students. They also added a certified nursing assistant (CNA) class in partnership with the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd that has three students. The Pre-ACT test for sophomores is coming up soon as well.

Student board member Cassidy Clifton reported that Feb. 25 - March 1 is Winterfest Week. Planning is underway.

There were four items for action on the agenda:

• The board conducted its semi-annual review of the Pledge of Securities, which is the pledge pool that guarantees the school’s deposits. The pledge covers 110 percent of the total over the FDIC limit.

• The board approved of the destruction of records dated prior to Dec. 31, 2013. The process must be completed every January, as required by N.D.Century Code.

• North Dakota School Board Association offers a tool for the board to conduct a self-evaluation. President John Grann said the board has completed the process a few times in the recent past. He asked the board to consider doing the evaluation, as there are members with a variety of experience levels. Louters will give board members a copy of the tool so they can review the material and then give their feedback at the next meeting.

• The board passed a motion to set up a new bank account for the debt service fund, which is where the school will deposit all money collected from county property taxes to pay the renovation bond, and then pay the debt each year.

The next meeting is regularly scheduled for Feb. 11 at 7 a.m. If needed, the board may reconvene the following Monday, Feb. 18, at 7 a.m.