At the regular school board meeting on March 18, 2026, the members and admin covered a lot of ground--superintendent interview training, paying sub teachers more, bond sale information, improvements to the tennis courts, labor contract approvals, among all the regular updates.
The District's financial consultant, PTMA gave a detailed breakdown of the bond sales following the District's approved referendum, outlining that thanks to the District's conservative planning, there is an opportunity to do more project work - specifically on the parking lots and roofs than anticipated with the tax impact coming it at exactly what was estimated. The School Board approved moving forward with the process outlined below:
In the Superintendent's report, Justin Dahlheimer outlined that almost all the remaining labor contracts were in front of the Board for approval. Highlights of those contracts were discussed. The only outstanding contracts left to be settled are the District Office staff and the incoming Superintendent.
Superintendent Dahlheimer outlined a tentative agreement between the three contractors involved in the Tennis Court resurfacing. The District will cover the depreciable cost of the resurfacing of the South Courts, and the resurfacing of the North Courts, with the three contractors covering the remaining 72% cost of the South Courts. There would be an updated design that would allow for more pickleball courts and use of temporary pickleball court nets. The District's cost would be covered by the long-term facilities maintenance budgeting. The resurfacing is necessary due to an issue with the bituminous base that is causing pyrites to bubble up and pop through the surface creating a trip hazard and potential competitive issues.
The School Board approved an update to the Substitute Teaching policy allowing for a higher rate of pay for short-term and long-term substitutes to help incentivize and reward dedication to the District and competitive rates for licensed long-term substitutes.
The District heard reports from the Activities Director, High School Principal, and Elementary Principal. Elementary Principal Schmidt reported that 82% of students k-6 displayed growth between their Fall and Winter reading testing results. He discussed the implementation of the new reading curriculum and the positive outlook for student improvement based on the work our elementary teachers and interventionists are doing to be aligned to the READ Act and new curriculum.
The School Board underwent an interview training led by BetterU Solutions for the upcoming Superintendent Interviews. Wade McKittrick, CEO of BetterU Solutions, expressed his excitement for the interest they have received in the opening and the upcoming hiring process which will consist of a series of public meetings:
3/24 - 5:30pm - District Office Board Room - Candidate Selection
3/27 - 9:00am - High School North Entrance - First Round of Interviews
3/30 - 5:00pm - High School North Entrance - Second Round of Interviews
4/3 - 7:00am - District Office Board Room - Superintendent Contract Approval
The next regular meeting of the School Board will be held on April 15 at 5:30pm in the District Office Board Room