Rich County School Board Meeting

Anita Weston, Reporter

Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  December 18, 2013.  Principal Rick Larsen introduced Tonya Stratton to the School Board.  She will be doing her student teaching during the next month or two.  She will probably be given experience in both Randolph and Laketown.

Brandy Johnson reported on the expenses.  She indicated that the bond payment was included in the expenses this month.  Also, she noted that the new bus has been purchased.

Principal Kip Motta requested that Dusty Mills be appointed as head of the wrestling activity at the middle school with Quin Sidaway as his assistant.   Motta noted that 15 young men have signed up for wrestling and started practice on Monday.

Dyson Barker will be working at the High School in the wrestling program.

Carbon monoxide detectors will be purchased for each of the classrooms.  They will cost approximately $30 per device per room.

A request has been made for a trailer and storage area.  The trailer is needed for the scissor lift and the gym floor equipment.  Both of these pieces of equipment need to be moved between schools.  A trailer that tilts would be good.  Also, it would be a good idea to purchase a goose neck and ball for the truck for easier pulling.  The Board liked the idea of this purchase but would like very much to see some costs.  The superintendent will call each member for their approval as soon as costs can be collected.  The Board also asked for a bid for snow blowers for the next Board meeting.

The building classes build a framed building each year for their project.  The superintendent and principals would like to purchase two buildings this year.  That would be one for each side of the hill.  They will be used for storage.  The Laketown school location for this building would be on the East of the shop doors on the south side of the building.  The size will be about 20’ by 15’ and will be used to store athletic equipment.  The building for the Randolph area will be placed on the hill by the pump house and will store summer yard and lawn equipment.  

A letter of appreciation is being sent to Chris Kearl, former superintendent of Rich County School.  She is leaving the Governor’s office.

All incentives for early retirement funds and compensation absences money for the next ten years need to be added as a line item on the budget.  The amount that needs to be set aside is $568,146.00 and will be updated each year.  The Board passed this suggestion.

Squires have recommended that for economic stabilization, 5 percent of the fiscal budget expenses should be placed in a rainy day fund.  Last year $319,153.65 was put into this fund.  It is also something that needs to be updated each year.  It is an undistributed reserve and is not used in negotiation.  This fund shows clearly in the audit report and reflects more accurately on financial statements.  The fund balance is $2.8 million.   The Board agreed to add $900,000 to the fund this year.

A request for a proposal was answered by GPS Benefits Company.  This company will do the bidding for the District health insurance.  It is a one-year contract.  Rich’s portion of the broker cost is $1,400.

There is a link to the EMI Health site on the District’s web page.  New insurance features and additions such as changes to help care options, cost transparency, alerts for employees, differences in costs and facilities, and etc.  There is also a cost lookup for all doctors and costs of procedures.  The figures on the site are probably estimates.

The Wellness Committee met.  There will be a new challenge every six weeks.  The first challenge will be starting January 5 and ending February 15.  The prize for the winner will be going to Von Rico. There is a list of 70 different things that everyone can do.   You need to do one thing each day.  Some examples of what each individual needs to do each day is:  drink plenty of water, limit sugar intake, etc.   Each individual needs to report to their team leaders every Monday.

Two curriculum committees have been set up in math and English.  Currently the middle school is on a pilot program using the software called Digits.   The math committee will be looking for are K through 5 math for next fall as well as 9 – 12.  The language arts curriculum committee is looking for materials for 9 – 12 for this next fall.  Materials from two publishers are already available for the committee.  They should have their choices made by March.

The math program has worked really well so far this year.  It gives much more rigor than in the past.  It does, however, require more time.  Homework has been adjusted so that students are not overworked.  The problems are all story problems.

January Board Meeting will be held on January 15, 2014, at 6 p.m. in Randolph.