THE SCHOOL RECEIVED $212,000 IN MUCH NEEDED FUNDING THRU GRANTS

THERE IS A BILL IN THE LEGISLATURE THAT MAY DECREASE SCHOOL FUNDING BY AS MUCH AS 30%

THE PROPOSED FOUR DAY SCHOOL WEEK WAS DISCUSSED

By Sharon Snell

A quorum was present for both of these meetings. After opening routines, consent items approved included paying warrants, approval of Board meeting minutes and the Class Size Reduction Proposal for 2019-2020.

Reports and Presentations

Superintendent Todd Hess told the Board that Grant Writer Holli Keichler had informed him the District had received $212,000 in grants. This money will help fully fund for the first time a Literacy Specialist for Read by Three. Other grants are still pending.

Supt. Hess told the Board he had spoken to Senator Settelmeyer and Assemblyman Wheeler expressing his concern over a proposed funding formula discussed in the Legislature. It could cause rural Districts like Storey County to face a 30% funding loss.

Mr. Hess publicly thanked individuals who worked hard with snow removal during the winter storms.

Recognition was given to the middle school students of the “Silver Bricks” engineering club for earning a trip to the World Championship competition in April, to the Hillside Archery Team for taking 2^nd place in the State, and to Shiann Loncar for winning the Poetry Out Loud Contest for Storey County.

Supt. Hess congratulated Amanda Eddy for her successful music program and commended Juliana Carmona on her singing of the National Anthem at basketball games. He also thanked the Ladies of the Comstock for their continuing financial support to Storey County schools, allowing each school to fill a specific need with their generous total donation of $2000.

Supt. Hess and Board members complimented the student athletes for their seasons in middle school girls’ volleyball as well as high school boys’ and girls’ basketball. A number of students were named for All League recognition. Esme Hess was named coach of the year!

Caren Baum, counselor, made a presentation on a College and Career Readiness Program. ShawnMarie Chapman, principal, and Jake Turner, special ed teacher, gave an informational presentation regarding the idea of a 4 day school week. (More on this in “New Business.”)

New Business

The following items were approved:

Hillside 5^th graders trip to Great Basin Outdoor School. (A Spaghetti Dinner and Talent Show fundraiser for this trip will be held on April 26), Gallagher 4^th graders trip to Great Basin Naturalists, the 2019-2020 School Calendar, and Jim Sciarani & Co. as the Auditor for SCSD 2018-2019 Fiscal Audit.

A request was granted to postpone the annual evaluation of the Superintendent from March to April. The reason for this request was based on developing a New 360 Evaluation process being used for the first time.

The most interesting discussions during these meetings revolved around the consideration of adopting a 4 day school week in SC School District. Todd Hess broached the subject in January. In February Ms. Chapman and Mr. Turner explained more and answered questions from Board members and community members in attendance.

At the March Board meeting, an item was approved to form a committee whose task will be to begin research, provide survey(s) and plan 4 Town Meetings, one each to be held in the school district 4 residential areas: Virginia City Highlands, Lockwood, Mark Twain, and Virginia City-Gold Hill. It was emphasized that no decision has been made and will not be made until community stakeholders have had an opportunity to hear any