By Mari Radtke
The May 17 South O’Brien Board meeting started with a full house in the high school media center. An off-handed comment, wondering out loud or maybe just a bad rumor resulted in about a dozen parents and students attending the school board meeting. The attendees either support or participate in the program and attended to voice their objection to combining the position with an existing position. Everyone had an opportunity to express their feelings. Board President Gina Paulsen explained that no decision had been made. Discussion about a budget shortfall was not supported with comments from the board either. The district is using all recruiting tools to fill the 7-12 band instructor position. According to Mr. Riley, the biggest concern facing the district with the position is the number of students participating.
The summer school program was discussed. Twelve high school students are expected to benefit from the credit recovery program, allowing them to graduate in a timely manner to their expected graduation year. The junior high reports fourteen students believed to benefit from a summer program. Currently 7 or 8 are signed up. The elementary grades have 75 students ready to be part of the summer school program. It was reported that students in kindergarten and first grade have the most needs.
A technology purchase plan was approved. Students entering grades 2, 6 and 9 will be provided with a new computer. During a South O’Brien career, a student will get 3 new computers.