Kathie B. Anderson, Reporter
Rich Civic Times
RANDOLPH, Utah. February 20, 2018. The Rich County School Board meeting began with a classroom presentation by Logan Staheli reviewing new IT/STEM Academy. This program has been implemented in eight regional high schools, including Rich High School. The students have their own computers and each student is taught basic computer essentials, including: disassembling and reassembling a computer, cyber security, networking, PC hardware, programming, web development, Linux, Mac, and Windows. industry certifications A+, Network +, Security+, PC Pro, Network Pro, and Service Pro are all included in the IT/STEM program. Two classes currently are being taught at Rich High, one with 14 students, the other with 12. Successful students will be awarded IT certificates representing 900 to 1600 hours by Bridgerland Tech, which counts for 30 credit hours toward an AAS degree at Utah State University, which is a $12,450 value at no cost to Rich High students who complete the IT/STEM course. There is a need for this knowledge in industry, regardless of whether a student receives a college degree. This is a tremendous opportunity for rural schools.
Several summer projects were discussed. The Board approved three large and one small summer projects for which there is an allotment of $180,000. The usual allotment from the School Board has been $150,000. One project is for work on the roof at South Rich Elementary, at an estimated cost of $50,000. Another project is an overlay for the parking lot at Rich High School, at an estimated cost of $80,000. The third project will be to replace the snow truck and plow at an estimated cost of $50,000. The old truck has 180,00 miles on its odometer, and the plow has been recycled twice. A small fourth project was also approved…a generator for the Laketown campus which is estimated to cost $5,000. Other needed projects are contingent upon the above four projects coming in under the cost estimates.
The Board ratified the Transgender Policy discussed and approved last month.
A Preliminary Calendar for the 2018-2019 school year was proposed, as follows:
August 14 Teacher Workday
August 15 In-service Day in Randolph
August 20 School Begins
Sept 3 Labor Day
Oct. 9-10 Parent Teacher Conference (Subject to change)
Nov. 21 Minimum Day
End of Term: November 15 52 days
Nov 22-23 Thanksgiving
End of Second Term Feb. 21 50 days
Dec. 20 Minimum day
Dec. 21 – Jan. 1 Christmas Break
Jan. 2 Back to School
Jan. 22-23 Parent Teacher Conference (Subject to change)
Feb. 28 No School
April 16-17 Parent Teacher Conference (Subject to Change)
May 24 Last Day of School (min) Graduation
End of Third Term May 24 53 days
Total Student Days: 152 Parent teacher Days: 3 Total 155
School Will NOT be held on Fridays, except for May 24th. If it is necessary to make up a day, school will be held on a day determined by the Board of Education.
Cell phone usage was also discussed. Principal Kip Motta stated that students need more real face time, not cell phone face time. He declared that cell phones are becoming an addiction. He expressed concern that cell phones are occupying too much time and energy in our children’s lives. The School Board agreed that the District’s cell phone policy needs to be reinforced to better control cell phone use by students during school time. The focus should be on academics and the tasks at hand. Going forward, the cellphone policy will be discussed and considered by the School Board.
School security issues were discussed. Principal Motta stated that the elementary and middle school campus in Laketown is secure. This issue will be discussed more during the next Board Meeting.
The regular meeting was closed to the public so the Board could discuss staffing in private.
Next Board Meeting March 20, 2018
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