by Garrick Moritz, Garretson Gazette
The Garretson School Board met in regular session on July 9, 2018. This meeting was the last meeting of the 2017-2018 school year and the first of the 2018-2019 school year. As the school board concluded the final business of the year, the only items of note were the renewal of the contract of Mike Jensen, which was simply a late filing, the approval of the report of Dan Deunwald the asbestos inspector and last minute financial and supplemental budget items, all of which the board approved.
With that, the 17-18 board adjourned and then reconvened with Superintendent Guy Johnson leading the meeting. Their first item was to swear in Ruth Sarar and Tony Martens for their next terms of office. This done the board took nominations and then elected Shannon Nordstrom and Kari Flanagan to take the seats of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the 2018-19 school year.
After a brief discussion, the school board approved most of the agenda items listed under New Business. This included several important decisions that must be reviewed and approved annually, such as allowing the Superintendent and Business manager to act in the school’s name, renew the contract of the school attorney, authorize the school’s official monetary depository, the legal newspaper of the school, set when the school will hold its elections, join the SD Association of School Boards, and set prices for school events and services, etc. Routine items, but important ones, as without their approval the school could not function as a legal entity. No changes were made to the school’s standard procedures or designated representatives. Two items were taken out of that approval list to be further discussed. First was the contract with Lunchtime Solutions, which was renewed after the board discussed and then approved the recommended price increases of a nickel to the cost of adult meal prices. Then they discussed increasing preschool tuition fees to $150.00 per month and that also was approved.
Next, because of scheduling conflicts, the board discussed postponing the August regular meeting that would have taken place on Aug. 13. Instead the board agreed to move the date to Aug. 16 at the same regular time of 5:45 p.m.
Supt. Johnson then gave the board a staffing report on the three new full time teachers that will be starting at the Garretson school as well as two educational assistants. Supt. Johnson said that he was confident that all open school positions would be filled by the end of August.
Supt. Johnson then gave a report on ongoing summer projects and long term projects going on at the school. The installation of new carpet in several classrooms, the renovation of old bathrooms with all new fixtures and the maintenance on the gym floors with cleaning and polishing.
He also brought the board up to date on the progress of the weight room renovations and installation of new equipment by the Orthopedic Institute of Sioux Falls with help from the Blue Dragon Boosters Athletic Association. Most of the new equipment is installed and already in use, with a few items still coming on a late delivery schedule. Supt. Johnson was confident that within the next few weeks, everything would be set up and in use by GHS Athletes. (Continued on page 2)
