The West Central Valley School Board met Wednesday night.

The Board heard a presentation from cheer coach and Spanish teacher Samantha Finneseth about a proposed team-building cheer team trip to her parent’s house at Lake Rathbun from July 13th-14th. She also presented a trip to Peru for high school Spanish students, to take place in the summer of 2018. Students could attend the ten-day trip at a cost of $3,800 and receive intimate exposure to Peruvian culture by staying with one or two other students in a local family’s home.

Plus, teacher Alexa Groff proposed a science trip to San Fransisco from June 10th-15th, 2017. The trip is available to any high school students at a cost of $2,400. The trip would allow students to experience many famous landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Prison, Yosemite National Park, Stanford University and others.

The School Board tentatively approved all three trips.

Additionally, the Board discussed ways to better market the district. Ideas brainstormed include developing more channels to distribute positive information about West Central Valley and building stronger relationships with local governments, nonprofit organizations and businesses. Board member Jenyse Belden says it’s vital for the district to have an effective public relations plan to try and craft their brand in determining how West Central Valley is viewed and perceived by individuals outside of the school district. Modernizing the district’s website was also brought up and discussed as a way to increase quality of outside exposure for the district.

The Board approved a high school boy’s soccer sharing agreement with Nodaway Valley and AC/GC under the condition that all games and practices take place at West Central Valley’s facilities in Stuart. The agreement will go into effect next spring.

Finally, the Board heard reports from building principals about Iowa Assessment scores. The District saw much growth across the board, including the middle school having some of the highest overall scores in the Heartland Area Education Agency, which consists of 53 school districts.