The Perry School Board met in regular session Monday.

At the meeting, the Board heard a building security project update. Nate Hugeback with Walsh Security and Technology Director Rich Nichols shared information on camera, keyless entires and other recent additions.  The District has installed more than card access points and more than 80 camera lenses in the various buildings.

Building principals then talked about the Iowa School Report Card and Post Secondary Readiness Report.  Elementary co-principals Joel Martin and Ned Menke says while their report card rating went down, they are making progress and upward trends in several areas.  Martin says they are meeting their goal of reaching the students they need to reach.  Menke says regardless of the rating they’re proud of the work teachers and staff are doing to educate kids.  Middle School Principal Shaun Kruger says there are different ways to interpret the data in these types of reports but it’s important to keep telling the story of what’s happening in the Perry schools. High School Principal Dan Marburger says the District does better than state average for middle class, Caucasian students who speak English.  Students who receive free and reduce lunch or are English as a second language learners do however make up a large portion of Perry’s enrollment, which presents additional hurdles.  Marburger says they know where the gaps are and while he is proud of his staff, there is room for improvement and ways to get better.

Board member Linda Andorf and Superintendent Lynn Ubben then talked about their recent trip to the capitol for the Iowa Association of School Board’s Day on the Hill.  Andorf says her first experience at the event was eye opening.  She says they touched on the budget, home schooling. per pupil dollars. Teacher Leadership and Compensation program, collective bargaining.

Andorf also spoke briefly about the Dallas County Conference meeting.  She says this consisted of the first run through of the budget and a public hearing will be held soon.

Wendy Bollhoefer then talked about the TLC program and weekly meetings and in services that are held to collaborate.  She says the program is “Not an admission of I need help, it’s an admission of I can do better.”

The 2017-2018 school calendar was approved.  Classes will begin August 23rd and the next academic year will end on May 25th.

A revision to the early retirement policy for administrators was then approved.  Building administrators are able to receive up to $40,000 and the Superintendent can receive up to $50,000 for eight years of service in the District.

Board policy revisions were then approved as presented, along with policy primer amendments.

Cooperative sponsorship agreements for various activities were also renewed.  The District shares boys and girls soccer with Panorama, swimming with Boone and bowling with Waukee.

An early graduation request from Connor Walsh was approved as presented, as was a special education delivery plan committee.

A public hearing in regards to the 2017-2018 budget was set for April 10th at 6pm in the Brady library and personnel changes were approved as presented, including the early retirement of Ubben and assistant high school principal Gary Czerniakowski.

We will have more on last night’s meeting and happenings in the District on today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with Superintendent Lynn Ubben.