Elizabeth “Libby” Towers of Churdan was appointed to the Paton-Churdan board of education at the board’s regular meeting Sept. 10. She fills a vacancy created by the resignation of Greg Carey. Carey was elected to a four-year term in 2013; Towers will serve the remaining three years of the term.
In other organizational business, the board re-elected Steve Burrell as president and Brad Wilson as vice president. Deonne Reed stepped off the board’s finance committee; Towers and Wilson will serve.
Members of the Paton-Churdan school board are (front, from left) Deonne Reed and Libby Tower; and (back, from left) Brad Wilson, Steve Burrell and Troy Paup.
Paton-Churdan will once again be a member of the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB). According to school superintendent Rob Olsen, there are only a few districts in the state that are not members. He encouraged membership because of the many educational opportunities available to board members and other advisory services available to the district. Membership fees are based on student enrollment; P-C will pay $1,052.
Olsen said there are benefits to IASB membership for longtime board members and new members. “I know that IASB has gone through its trials and tribulations, and it’s been tough at times, but I do really think at this point in time they’re at a good place to move forward. They’ve provided a lot of good things for school districts and school boards, and they’ll continue to do so,” he said.
P-C dropped its membership in IASB four years ago. “When we got out, there were some shady things going on,” said board member Troy Paup recalled. “If you feel comfortable with it, that things are on the straight and narrow, I think we’re OK,” Paup said to Olsen.
Eligibility policy: The board approved the first reading of a revised eligibility policy that is very similar to the policy the Greene County school board is adopting. As the policy was a discussion item in August, P-C board members noted that because P-C and Greene County share so many activities, it would be appropriate for students to have one set of rules to follow.
The P-C policy is a little stricter than the Greene County policy in how it handles students who may be at a location where others are using alcohol or drugs but not be using them themselves. Under the P-C policy, if students don’t leave in a “timely manner” after realizing what is occurring, they are liable for sanctions just as if they were participating.
The board also reviewed its priorities from 2013-14, with an eye toward any changes for 2014-15. Adopting board goals will be an action item at the October meeting.
At the ouset of the meeting, the board heard a presentation from junior Samantha Joy suggesting that cheerleading be reinstated for the coming basketball season. She proposed that the cheerleading squad be self-sufficient financially, and that the cheerleaders plan activities that would include the younger students as well as high school students. Joy said there are four girls at this time who are definitely interested, with others waiting for board approval before making a commitment.
The board plans to have basketball cheerleading on its October agenda. Olsen said the school would assume some financial responsibility for the activity.
In her principal’s report, Annie Smith gave preliminary enrollment figures for 2014-15. The student count is the highest is has been in at least 13 years, with total student enrollment of 222. See related post on GreeneCountyNewsOnline.
Smith also told the board of a “Color Run” 5K event slated for Saturday, Oct. 25. The event will be a fundraiser for the Paton-Churdan Boosters, and organizers hope to involve the entire community. Watch for more information.
