Principal's Resignation Accepted by North Clay School Board

North Clay school board members have accepted the resignation of Penny Arnold as elementary and junior high principal. The resignation is effective at the end of June.

The Board also hired Michelle Ruesken and Rob Tillery as substitute bus drivers.

Board members also reviewed with Superintendent Monty Aldrich the set of Strategic Planning Topics he had constructed and prioritized in his mind that he feels the Board needs to consider addressing. Aldrich gave the Board options of brainstorming or following the plan set forth to develop short-term and long-term goals and objectives. 

The 10 topics include: 

--Student Academic Success

--Financial future/District debt/Tax Caps

--Life/Health Safety 10-Year Survey

--Dropout and Expelled Student options and alternatives

--RIFs, Enrichment, Pre-K Grant becomes competitive, and a Pre-K classroom addition

--Vocational and Graduation requirements

--Employee recognition

--Fundraisers and community service

--Electronic marquee for the campus

--Imagery and signage on the campus

Board members wanted to discuss some other items, too.

Board member Tony Smith wondered about delaying the start of school on foggy days. There were concerns that parents would have to head for work, leaving their children at home until the bus arrived. Others wondered how to decide just how foggy it would have to be before delaying the opening. Eventually, it was agreed to work on the issue with a decision in time for the start of the next school year.

Board member Ryan Ballard mentioned a culvert project and wondered whether an engineer had to be utilized since there are people on the Board with expertise on the subject. It was decided to consult the district's architect for input.

Board member David Simmons asked to discuss the life health safety survey. Aldrich mentioned that there are still some items from the previous survey that haven't been addressed. Aldrich agreed to get some updated costs on door and window replacement at the high school, as well as boiler replacement in the high school gym.

The Board also discussed options on expelled students and dropouts. Members discussed options to keep students from being expelled. There was consideration of expanding or dividing the current Guided Learning program into another room or location within the high school so that age-appropriate and situation-appropriate populations could be separated. It was noted that additional staff would be needed, at a time when the district is considering reduction of staff and other steps to cut spending. The matter will be revisited at a future meeting.

The Board also met separately for Aldrich's evaluation.

Another strategic planning meeting will be scheduled for February.