Wellington school board tables band uniform purchase, Lincoln playground equipment purchased…
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — In the first-of-its-kind social distancing meeting, the Wellington school board met without really meeting. All seven board members were at their homes, while school administrators were placed in separate rooms throughout the administrative offices.
Here were a few things decided at Monday’s meeting.
Band uniforms
The Wellington board tabled a purchase of 90 new band uniforms until Wellington band instructor Allen Hisken can submit a quote on a favored design chosen at the board meeting. Each bid for uniforms is approximately $600 for a combined $56,000.
WHS hasn’t had new uniforms in 15 years.
In some bad news, Hisken said the band trip that was scheduled for January 2020 for the Presidential Inauguration was canceled due to concerns with the COVID-19 virus. Also, many of the key fundraisers for the trip was supposed to occur between April and June and that didn’t occur.
Lincoln Playground
The board approved $127,481 to Fry and Associates for the purchase of playground equipment at Lincoln Elementary – the third USD 353 school to get a new playground. The Lincoln PTA will pay for $27,481 with $100,000 coming out of the capital outlay fund.
Durham contract renewed
With two companies, Durham and First Student, bidding for transportation services, the board voted to go with Durham for a 5-year contract valued at $270,000. First Student had a lower bid, but Wellington Superintendent Adam Hatfield said it equals less than 1 percent which is about $3,000 a year.
“We have a 12-year history with Durham and they have been good partners,” Hatfield said. “They also employ people in the community.”
Continuing Learning report
Curriculum Director Dr. Jen Kern gave an update on continuous learning through the district. Early data shows promising results of student engagement.
•At the high school, 98 percent of students are participating in daily Google Meet check-ins and mentors.
•At the middle school, 86 percent of students are checking in daily with their mentors.
•Eisenhower Elementary is getting 98 to 100 percent participation.
•Kennedy Elementary is getting 84 percent before Internet hot spots. Now it is at 99 percent.
•Lincoln Elementary is getting 80 percent participating and about 50 percent work turned in.
•Washington Elementary is getting 66 of the students complete but 74 percent are completing at least 50 percent of its work.
New personnel hired
•Keelie Meredith – third-grade teacher at Eisenhower.
•Kendra Statton – Speech Language Pathologist.
•Jessica Reyes – Middle School Cheer coach.
Resignations submitted
•Megan Curl – second grade teacher at Washington.
•Lauren Weyrauch – art teacher, WMS.
•Kellyn Holt – high school assistant volleyball (ninth grade).
•Misty Jacobson – para educator, Kennedy (at the conclusion of the school year.).
•Rieley Franklin – para educator, Kennedy.
•Matthew McComb – para educator, Pathways.
•Shanna Fairbanks – middle school girls tennis, middle school scholars bowl, middle school reading interventionalist.
•Daniel Scislowsi – math teacher, WHS.
Executive session
There was a 15-minute executive session for non-elected personnel matters.
