DELTA SCHOOL BOARD … The first day of the 21-22 school year also held the August 18, 2021 School Board meeting for the Pike Delta York School Board. Seated from left to right are Treasurer Matt Feasel who was giving his report, Board members Tammy Sprow, VP Alice Simon and Tim Bowers with Superintendent Ted Haselman. (PHOTO BY REBECCA MILLER, STAFF)
By: Rebecca Miller
The first day back at school is always exciting, but tiring as everyone is trying to get the year off to a smooth start. Pike Delta York principals, Administration, and School Board members had their monthly Board meeting tacked onto the end of their first day back, on August 18, 2021.
They looked none the worse for a big day and were all happy to share in the knowledge that it had been a good one.
Superintendent Ted Haselman shared that all the students got to and from school safely. All three building principals announced with smiles that everything went smoothly and that everyone seemed happy to be back at school.
Mr. Douglas Ford, the High School Principal, shared that it felt great to be able to see the students faces again without masks.
In his Treasurer’s report, Mr. Matt Feasel informed the board that they received more letters this month regarding tax abatements and there are now a total of thirty six properties in the Delta School District that have tax abatements, meaning they do not have to pay school taxes for ten years.
“With all that being said, we did receive a Real Estate advance, like we normally do in June or July,” he said, “It was a little higher. Last year we collected about $560,000 and this year it was $651,000.”
“You never really know what that is going to be as it fluctuates. We have received a final settlement and that will be reflected in next month’s financial reports.”
He mentioned that the State Foundation was the other major source of revenue and was based on the new Funding Formula. He supports the new funding model, saying it makes more sense and is easier for tracking.
It will be used for two years as they see how it works and then it will have to be re approved. He reported also on the July financial statement. They are still doing well on investments. The Board voted to accept his report.
Mr. Haselman reported that the first day of school had some slight hiccups with transportation but nothing major, so all went well. He proceeded to make recommendations for:
-Salary revisions for Linda Durdel, Katie Hamilton, Samantha Kennedy, Peggy Smith, Laura Becker and Ryan Ripke.
-The Board authorize the superintendent to ensure qualifications and approve the use of substitutes for both certificated and classified staff for the 21-22 school year.
-2021-22 LPDC Handbook that was emailed out three weeks before school started
-New Substitute rates (as Haselman said they were very low compared to other schools): Teacher $100 per day; Custodial $12.38 per hour; Food Service $11.77 per hour; Aide $10.36 per hour; Secretary $11.76 per hour; and Bus Driver $15.50 per hour.
The Board approved all of his recommendations and moved on to building reports with Mr. Ford going first. He shared that they had 98% attendance at the MacBook pickup day.
He said there seemed to be more energy in the building and it felt good. Total student enrollment this year is 354 with 117 9th graders, 93 in 10th, 77 Juniors and 81 seniors.
There is one fifth year senior and of the juniors, twenty are going to Four County. Thirty eight students are participating in the College Credit Plus program, which is their highest ever. He is excited about how everyone is pumped up for all of the fall sports.
The Athletic Department held a leadership workshop for coaches and players called “Lead Em Up” and he is looking forward to that being very helpful this year. Band Camp was successful. The first official home football game was scheduled for that Friday.
They will continue to focus on data to improve student achievement. Mr. Haselman added there as opposed to 120 last year who were on PVA (Panther Virtual Academy) last year, this year there are only eight and he is pleased about that.
The second report was given by Middle School Principal, Pete Nafziger, and he agreed that being without masks made it feel almost “normal” again.
The Middle School enrollment is down a little bit with a total of 360 this year. There are 79 Fifth graders, 91 Sixth graders, 81 Seventh, and 109 Eight with 27 new enrollment students, 13 open enrollment and 27 of the students utilizing TACKLE’s Behavioral Health Services. Three of the eight PVA students are in Middle School. Student Open House went off without a hitch with a 96.1% attendance rate as 346 students and their parents attended.
Student devices for all grades were handed out during the first day of school and students were required to submit their completed Technology Protection Assessment Forms in order to get their devices.
The Staff has selected “Better Together” as the theme for the MS Building this year and that will be central to how they do things around campus. They will focus on positive interactions with one another to reach group and individual potential, as well as using the Data Driven instruction.
School pictures were scheduled for the second day of school, with retakes in October. They have acquired signage for the hallways and common spaces related to school initiatives and behavioral expectations, as well as a Floor Sticker Roundabout for foot traffic in the academic wing hallway.
The School Wide Fundraiser will be reinstated for the Fall, kicking off on September 15, with the Incentive Day right before Thanksgiving Break.
The 6th Grade Camp is being planned, and potentially a 7th Grade Camp as they did not get to go last year. The first Fire Drill was scheduled for August 20th at 2 p.m.
He commended Janet Jacob for doing a “fantastic job getting the building cleaned and ready and keeping up with all the continued extras.” A Mental Well-Being program will be rolling out soon called “Sources of Strength.”
Other items in Mr. Nafziger’s report included an Extracurricular update; PBIS committee met on Monday, August 16 to plan the implementation of the program with the disciplinary referral system and Pride Point acknowledgement system already live; and Student of the Month will begin in September with an 8th grade student.
Elementary Principal, Ellen Bernal reported that the total enrollment in her building is 400 with 97% of them present on the first day of school. Open House was successful with an overall participation of 92%.
Kindergarten Students will be attending the next two days of school for their KRA appointments and all K students will attend on Monday, August 23.
The annual CPI refresher course was held on August 13 they worked again with the ESC and Evergreen to hold a refresher for both schools.
The Elementary building is piloting a new program called “DreamBox” which is a supplement to the math program, aligning to the Math curriculum to help teachers determine pre-requisite math skills that may be causing students to struggle with math.
They held their first webinar with the company during the opening day staff meeting and will have a second one at the district-wide Professional Development Day to focus on data pulls.
Right to Read Week is scheduled for September 13-17 with many fun activities planned around the Jungle theme . Family Reading Night is being moved to a later time to allow for some additional planning.
The first Teacher Based Team meetings will be held the week of September 13 and they will review assessment data to identify students who need extra support or enrichment.
She also commended the custodial staff for an amazing job getting the building cleaned and ready for the new school year.
“The staff continues to work hard to keep the building safe for all students. Cleaning and sanitizing continued on our first day and will take place on a regular basis. Staff are encouraging hand sanitizing when moving from room to room.”
The Panther Pack staff has begun preparations for this year and are working on arranging trips, family nights and activities for students. The first BLT meeting is scheduled for August 27.
Board Member Tim Bowers said that he has a child in every building this year and he commended all of the principals for a smooth Open House.
The Board went into Executive Session to “prepare for conduction or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with employees.”
There was no action taken following that session and the meeting was adjourned.
Rebecca can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com