School Board meets for February meeting

The Broadus School Board Trustees met Monday evening for their monthly meeting. The board accepted a motion to hire Bill Alderman as a volunteer wrestling coach, as well as Sarah Earley as a substitute at the elementary. They also accepted the resignations of HS Teachers Michelle Wash, and Marshall and Patty Williams, along with Elementary Teacher Marilyn Emmons. Those resignations are effective at the end of the year.

The school received four bids to complete electrical work behind the high school, where some of the electrical apparatus will be moved from electrical poles to a cleaner setup on the ground. The board accepted the bid of Don’s Electric for this work.

Next on the agenda, the boards discussed the various COVID policies at the school, and whether the grounds should be opened to the public for situations such as basketball tournaments or adult ed classes, which are not currently available at the school. Current public health guidelines discourage opening the grounds for these events, and with a current shortage of janitorial staff at the school any change to the guidelines was tabled until at least next month.

The school calendar for next year was approved. School will start on August 19th and end May 26th.

Superintendent Hansen discussed the school’s budget, and whether a taxpayer levy may need to be run this year. Last year, the board decided against holding a levy election, due to the blossoming COVID-19 pandemic, which was emerging at that time. The potential for a levy will be discussed at next month’s meeting.

A motion was passed to conduct an election for two positions on the board in District 79J, currently held by Patrick Emmons and Raquel Mader.

Principal Denise Ternes, District Clerk Dixie Mitchell, and Superintendent Hansen were rehired for the coming year.

Recommendations by the Buildings and Grounds Committee were heard. A motion was passed to replace some of the windows at the elementary, to approve the installation of a chain link fence on the west side of the practice field, and to set up the water and sewer connections on the school owned lot across the street from the high school, now that the lot has been cleared of the old buildings.