by Paulette Blair
Parent-Teacher Conferences and teacher seniority were items brought up for discussion at the latest meeting of the Canby School Board. Principal Robert Slaba reported that the second semester is already under way, and that students have already begun registering for classes for the 2012-2013 school year. Also, to the chagrin of students, and perhaps teachers as well, Slaba reported that due to the unseasonably warm and dry winter we have been having, there have been no snow days so far this year.
Elementary Principal Sandi Arndt reported that donated box tops and soup labels have been able to provide around 30 playground balls, a metal cart to hold playground items, and other playground equipment as well. She also said that the new sound system is in place in the cafeteria and that teachers are learning the fine points of using it.
The issue of adopting a “Final Seniority List” for the purpose of helping decide which staff members might be put on unrequested leave was brought up, briefly discussed, and then it was suggested it should be tabled for the next meeting.
Supt. Hacker had another view on the issue, saying, “Go ahead and vote to adopt it, since it can always be changed later on.”
The list was adopted and it was stated that the seniority list is “frozen” as of Jan. 24 of this current year, and that teachers must have their licenses up-to-date and notify the board of any changes that might occur.
The Parent Survey on Conferences was also discussed. No action was taken on it for the time being, as the results of the survey have not yet been tabulated by the administration. Several board members urged that the survey be tabulated and finalized for presentation to them by the end of January or beginning part of February.
“Conferences have never really been that much of a problem,” said Ms. Arndt. “We usually have between 97 and 100 percent attendance anyway.”
Student enrollment appears to be on the upswing in Canby, at least in the foreseeable future. Though there may be a slight drop in enrollment in the next year or two, more students are projected to enroll beyond that.
“There’s a waiting list for Little Lancers,” said Ms. Arndt, referring to the pre-Kindergarten program, and that although the total number of Kindergartners won’t be known until March 1, that appears to be going up as well.
Various board members and Supt. Hacker reported on the workshops they had attended at the MSBA Winter Conference. All seemed impressed with their workshops, which covered a variety of topics including using an iPad, school gardening instruction, mental health issues of students, and restructuring the decision-making processes in schools so that teachers have more input.
The board also asked for nominations from ag producers for the “Monsanto Grant Opportunity,” which would make the Canby school district eligible for grants of up to $25,000, if selected, for the improvement and expansion of science programs related to renewable energy, physics, and physical science.
A board retreat was discussed briefly, but it was decided to put it on the agenda for the next meeting.