SPS board meeting covers routine items, bond issue election

The Snyder Public Schools regular board meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. January 9. Pearl McPhail was unable to attend.

The board received whole board training by the OSSBA and engaged in discussion on the topic of superintendent evaluation. Members also covered routine business, approving minutes of the regular December meeting and Treasurer’s Report, as well as encumbrances and change orders.

Primary and Elementary Principal Natika Peterson presented treats from Jr. High Student Council in honor of Board of Education appreciation month. She reported primary enrollment of 137 and elementary 175. The Jr. High Academic Team will go to Canute Thursday, and the Primary School will celebrate the 100th day of class on January 30.

Peterson reported Chromebook cart assembly is underway in preparation for testing in the spring. Rise and Shine will be held Feb. 3 showcasing 1st grade. The grade that has the highest AR points will do pie in the face. Parent Teacher conferences will be next month, and Elevate Conference for primary teachers will be in Nashville in June.

A consultant did a walk-through of the elementary playground, and he estimates $75,000-$100,000 for upgrades. He also put Peterson in touch with someone who can assist with the grant writing process to fund the potential project.

Peterson wrapped up her report by giving an example of sewer problems at the primary building. She said she really hopes the bond issue is approved so that the plumbing problems can be resolved soon.

“Forty minutes of my day today was spent plunging a toilet and mopping up the water,” Peterson said.

Superintendent Travis Gates represented High School Principal and Athletic Director Ryan Granger who had to join the basketball team in Hobart that night. High school enrollment is at 132, and the second semester is in full swing. Most of the new cameras are up in the buildings.

The girls basketball team lost their last game in overtime in the Arapaho Tournament, and the boys came back and won the consolation tournament. Both teams will be in the Tri County Tournament starting this Thursday. Powerlifting is getting started, and Snyder was scheduled to host a meet on Wednesday and Thursday. Gates reported that they’ve been looking into options for returning to 8-man football next year and will plan to present information to the board next month.

He also reported that OSSA sent out surveys recently to determine interest in adding shot clocks to high school basketball. His understanding is that most large schools favor it, while most smaller schools do not. He said our response was no, especially considering that it would probably cost a minimum of $15,000 just to add the additional clock.

Gates thanked the board in honor of Board of Education appreciation month.

The recent active shooter training was “a very eye-opening experience,” Gates said. It included training for administrative staff on behavioral assessment to help them evaluate students if needed. The training is provided at no cost by the State Department of Education.

The recommendation for a temporary solution to the Primary School parking lot issue is to purchase cold-lay asphalt out of Clinton. The $1,125 purchase order had been issued and work was expected to happen right away.

The long-term solution comes with a rough estimate of $30,000 for material alone.

Gates reported that he met with school attorneys and provided the migrant funding appeal for the State Dept. of Education. The department was not able to get back with him before staff changes happened, and they’ve told him they do not know where the process stands at this point.

Gates also expressed concerns about potential legislative action on vouchers again, as a result of the newly elected State Superintendent and reelected governor.

A photographer will attend the February meeting to take board members’ photos for use in the yearbook and website.

Additionally, Gates will be putting together information about the possibility of having an additional principal again and plans to share his thoughts on the options at next month’s meeting.

The last Town Hall Meeting for the bond issue is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Elementary School Cafeteria. Gates said he hasn’t heard anything negative about the bond issue other than concerns about getting people to show up to vote.

In other business, the board voted to appoint Luke Anderson as the OSSBA Legislative Liaison. Standard policies, which can be found on the school website, were reviewed with no action required. Two additional policy updates including drug testing policies were discussed and tabled until more information can be gathered.

Under New Business, a $40,000 change order for food purchases for the Child Nutrition Fund for FY2023 was approved. The original budget had been very cautious because of concerns about appropriations, but this change makes the total budget a little less than last year.

The meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.