Snow Day Decision

Feb. 19- Professional development day is now a school day to make up for snow day

April 12- School improvement planning day is now a school day to make up for snow day

Further discussion regarding seniors, days in June, Saturdays, and other options will be discussed at the Feb. 8 board meeting and meetings to come. “We can educate kids in June. Whoever tells you we can’t is ridiculous,” Superintendent Clay Guthmiller said. The Friday before spring break is an unlikely option as teachers are compensated for that day and there would be 50-60 substitute teachers and many absent students that day.

Other Topics Covered:

-Budget cuts by state and federal legislation are not determined. Allowable growth of either 2 percent, zero percent, or -3 percent are considered. Specific cuts and modifications of budget will be discussed once figures are determined.

-New school notification system is being put into effect in the next month. Parents have the option of of email, voicemail or text message notification. This will allow for timely updates for not only entire school cancellations, but also updates for individual teams and groups that students are involved in. It will only cost the district $2.45 per student. This will take the place of snowcap due to complaints regarding timeliness.

-100 year anniversary of Johnston: 2013-2014 school year

-Traffic study of Beaver Creek Elementary: no need for traffic light, however new changes such as crossing guards are being considered as students walking home must cross four-lane traffic. A traffic study for Horizon Elementary is in effect now, and traffic light may be considered depending on results.

-High school photography club approved

-Seventh grade French exploratory reconsidered for Summit, but no proposal has been made. “We don’t want to take away from any exploratories offered now in order to add French,” school board member Julie Walter said. French teachers, Tamra Andrews and Mary Moermond attended the meeting and gave input regarding the French exploratory. “It is frustrating that we offer two Spanish classes and no French,” Andrews said.

“I do not consider this adding a new exploratory, I see it as putting one back,” school board president Tracey Orman said.

The board is waiting on input from parents and students before making a final decision regarding the program. It would be a conservative addition since the curriculum is already available.

-Hiring recent Johnston graduates as coaches will be discussed at the next meeting. “We don’t want to be discriminating based on age,” board member Jill Morill said. Agenda for Feb. 8 board meeting can be found online at http://www.johnston.k12.ia.us/boardofeducation/agendas/0910.html

-Feb. 2 expansion public meeting at 7pm in the JMS auditorium. This is a meeting to discuss plans for a JMS facilities expansion project.