By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald
District Capital Projects Manager Scott Hodgins reported to the White River School Board that the district's punch list with Bayley Construction is about 75 percent complete on construction at White River High School. He also noted at the board's regular meeting Dec. 10, the light at the intersection with Mundy Loss is on its way.
Hodgins also updated the board on plans for the district's two middle schools and asked for board approval to go out to bid on the two projects. The board set 6 p.m. Dec. 30 for a special session to review plans for the Glacier and White River middle schools' upgrade and transition project. The board is expected to give the go-ahead for call to bids at that meeting. District officials plan to bid the project in January and award the project by early February.
In other business, the board:
€ elected Jean Lacy as school board president; Joe Dieringer as vice president; Susan McGuire as legislative representative, and Peter Shook as WIAA representative.
€ announced winter break will be from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2.
€ scheduled the next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at the district board/conference room.
€ announced a dedication ceremony for White River High School will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 22.
€ heard a White River version of "The Night Before Christmas" by Plateau Community Player representative Eli Holm (with apologies to Clement C. Moore). Holm also handed each board member who will recite the Christmas classic at the PCP's performance of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" their own personal copy of the book. Superintendent Jay Hambly is scheduled to read opening night Thursday. Board members Lacy (Friday), Shook (Saturday) and McGuire (Sunday) are also scheduled to perform. All performances are in the WRHS auditorium.
€ approved out-of-state travel for teacher Karin Moses and the WRMS band to attend the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho.
€ was updated on learning improvement plans for Collins Alternative Programs and Foothills Elementary School.
€ declared technology equipment, computers and phone systems as district surplus and gave approval to sell them.
€ approved membership in the Northwest Regional Education Laboratory. The cost is nothing.
€ elected McGuire to the Special Education Parent Educator Partnership.
€ approved resolution to begin the process of purchasing 13 buses through a state program. After district drivers test drove the buses, the board gave the nod to buy the 78-passenger Internationals which will replace pre-1977 buses in the district.
€ approved study session topics for the remainder of the school year: Jan. 28, No Child Left Behind and Annual Yearly Progress; Feb. 25, alternatives to traditional discipline; March 24, counseling; April 28, board goals and superintendent evaluation; May 26, building administrator roles and responsibilities, and June 23, distance learning.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com
