The District #29 School Board met Monday, March 15, at the Auburn City Hall. The board unanimously decided to table the vote regarding whether or not to start an in-house pre-school program during the 2010-11 school year.
Board members said they wanted to wait on the decision until the district is notified whether or not it has been approved to receive state grant money. Lynn Dierberger, special education coordinator for the district, said she could hear from state officials as soon as March 22.
The board is tentatively planning a special meeting at 5 p.m. March 23 at City Hall regarding the issue, with the contingency that the district has received news about the grant.
Dickey and Hyde Resign
The board also approved two teacher resignations during the meeting. Resigning effectively at the end of the current school year will be Leslie Dickey, a high school English instructor, and Jennifer Hyde, a fourth grade teacher at Calvert.
In letters to the board, both teachers thanked the district for their opportunity to be a part of the school system.
Easter Break Extended
The board also approved making April 1 and April 5 as Easter break days. In January, the board voted to take away those vacation days due to the thought the students might not have enough educational hours due to snow days.
However, after new state regulations, the students will have the instructional time required. As of March 15, according to information provided to the board, the students in kindergarten through eighth grades will have 1,111.5 hours. The required minimum amount is 1,030 hours. And, the high school students will have 1,197 hours, with the minimum required amount being 1,080 hours.
Also among the discussion items, but no action was taken, was the future of the former Middle School building. Dr. Michael Zaruba updated the board that the Buildings and Grounds Committee has met with city officials to figure out whether or not the building would be an economic development tool for the city.
Zaruba said it would be a long process to sell the building, if that is something the board would be interested in doing. He added there has been interest in the facility.
Administrative Notes
• It was reported that Matt Knapp qualified for the state speech meet.
• The eighth grade Math Counts Team has received the “Best New School” award. They are sponsored by Mindy Walker.
• The Big Band Dance will be held on Monday, March 29, at the Nemaha County 4-H Building with the Auburn Junior High and Senior High Jazz Bands participating.