Summer school, buses discussed by school board

The New Rockford-Sheyenne School Board met in person on Monday, March 8. It has been one year of Zoom meetings thanks to COVID-19.

After financial reports from all departments, a discussion regarding work done to the Rocket activity bus ensued. To keep our children safe, over $10,000 in repair work to the front end of the bus was completed. This price tag included a new windshield, a couple new windows and a water pump. Bus drivers are very happy with the work.

Superintendent Jill Louters expressed lofty goals for summer school this year, which is planned as a 4-H style “camp” with extra focus on remedial reading and math. The goal is to meet the needs of many and engage all. Parents should look for some sort of communication in mid-April. Principal evaluations will begin March 15. Interviews are being conducted for two middle school positions. Administrators are engaged in the “robust back-grounding” portion of the interview process with several applicants.

On behalf of teachers, Jamie Risovi thanked the board for the extra cash they received as a result of COVID-19 grants. The past year has been stressful, both financially and mentally for all our teachers.

Elementary School Principal Natalie Becker reported that STAR testing will begin March 15. Data from this test will help identify the children needing the most attention to help close gaps in learning prior to the end of the school year. On March 17, Becker will be attending a training for updating the standards in PowerSchool, specifically for grades K-2. Parents should look forward to Parent-Teacher Conferences March 25, from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Becker has also been attending webinars regarding education for homeless and foster care children.

High School Principal Avolt Baumbach was not in attendance but reported that the Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be given March 8 - 24 during second period for grades 7-12. STAR testing will also begin March 15 for all high school students.

The superintendent's evaluation was completed, and an open enrollment application was approved, adding four more elementary children to the district’s roster in the spring.

David Skogen was hired as the new business manager for the district. The board said Skogen put himself at the top of the applicant list by having the most experience and being “up on the technology.”

A mini bus will be purchased and added to the fleet. This mini bus comes complete with a wheelchair ramp, something our school was lacking. This clean-diesel mini bus will allow the fifth bus route to be brought back, keeping children off the bus before 7 a.m. and ease up the use of the Rocket bus for outside activities.

The board passed a motion to offer the high school social studies position to a Minnesota teacher, pending his license in North Dakota.

The Board will attend a strategic planning and budget retreat in April. The April 12 school board meeting will be a Zoom meeting. Anyone interested in attending is welcome, a link will be provided on the school website.