The Perry School Board met in regular session Monday.
At the meeting, Carolyn McNeill talked about how the high school drum line’s participation in the 4th of July parade was “wonderful”. She expressed that the school should also have a color guard for such events, along with football games and the Veteran’s Day program. Superintendent Lynn Ubben said they had a flag corp this past year and encouraged her to speak with high school instrumental music teacher Brandon Weeks about the idea. Board members present, Jim Lutmer, Kenia Alarcon and Marjean Gries, expressed interest in the addition of a color guard but no formal action was taken.
A public hearing was held in regards to the middle school boiler replacement project. Tyson Shattuck with Shive-Hattery Incorporated said the low bid they received came from Drees Company out of Carroll, in the amount of $192,737, which will also be able to address some code issues in the boiler room. The current boilers are around 40 years old. After the hearing, the bid from Drees was unanimously approved.
An update was then shared in regards to the elementary school parking lot and transportation project. Kevin Long with Shive-Hattery said the project is going well and is on schedule. The majority of the east parking lot is completed. Current change orders are also within the total budgeted amount and the project is expected to be complete by August 17th.
Long said the high school gym roof replacement project is also moving along ahead of schedule. Unlike the hot summer days of the past, so far the new roof is not having any leakage issues so far.
Buildings and Grounds Director Kevin McLaughlin then explained that they have noticed some boiler issues at the high school. He says one has already been replaced but now it looks like another one may need to be replaced. Current equipment is around 15 years old, which is near the expected life expectancy. He plans to speak with Drees to see if they District can get a deal on the additional boilers since they are already purchasing two for the middle school.
Next the Board heard from high school science teacher Jeff Fox in regards to the Symbi program. This is the first year the partnership program between Iowa State University and Des Moines Public Schools is being expanded to include the Perry School System. It’s funded by the National Science Foundation to support ISU graduate students (Fellows) that are conducting interdisciplinary research in areas associated with genetics and bioengineering. The Fellows will spend one full day each week in a science classroom performing duties of a “resident scientist” as they interact with their partner leader and schools. Fox says this is the sixth year of the program and he’s looking forward to working with the students. Superintendent Lynn Ubben said she and the Des Moines Schools Superintendent went to ISU to speak with the professors and students and find out more about the program, along with District principals. This program will help the Fellows learn how to better explain their findings to students who are not the experts they are on these topics and the Perry students will get to learn more about these two topics than they may have otherwise with regular instruction.
Student and staff handbooks were then approved as presented, along with Sara Lee as the bakery vendor and Hiland as the dairy vendor for the upcoming school year.
Kent Bultman was again appointed as the Board Secretary, Dwayne Hochhalter will serve as Board Treasurer, Drew Bracken from Ahlers and Cooney Law Firm will serve as legal counsel and Raccoon Valley Bank, US Bank, Wells Fargo and the Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust were approved as bank depositories. Additionally, Anne Horgren, Gary Czerniakowski and Eric Vaughn were appointed as student abuse by school employee investigators. Angelica Cordenas-Diaz will serve as the District’s Equity and Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Officer and Homeless Coordinator. Kevin Vidergar was appointed as the Section 504 Coordinator. Laura Skeel will be the Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator.
The Board then approved personnel changes as presented, along with revisions to board policies in regards to administrative positions, administrator qualifications, contracts duties, salary and other compensation, professional development and evaluation as presented.
For more on the meeting and things happening in the Perry School District, tune into tomorrow’s Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with Superintendent Lynn Ubben during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS and the new 99.7 FM.