E-S district exploring new program options
by Beth Kraft Mondovi Herald Editor
A short business agenda was set before the Eleva-Strum School Board at its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 14, but a few new program opportunities that could provide the E-S district and its students with valuable funds and services were discussed.
The creation of special ed transition grants, a new program that was a part of the newly-approved state budget, could offer school districts like Eleva-Strum compensation for student success beyond high school.
E-S superintendent Dr. Kellie Manning explained that the grant program would reimburse E-S $1,000 per student if they successfully go on to obtain a degree beyond their high school diploma or are gainfully employed after high school.
Districts can submit student information for the grant program this year and next year with reimbursements set to begin in 2016-17 where applicable.
Dr. Manning said the transition grants will help enhance the special education program at E-S, noting she feels the district “does a tremendous job with transitioning students.”
The district will also explore utilizing the Senior Tax Exchange Program (STEP) to obtain adult crossing guards in addition to inviting tutors and other community volunteers into the schools to work with students.
Manning explained that senior members of the community would receive a tax credit in exchange for their volunteer time in local schools as part of the program.
With an increasing amount of traffi c seen on U.S. Highway 10 near Eleva Intermediate Elementary, Manning said the safety of students who walk to and from school is a concern.
Adding adult crossing guards in Eleva would help support the sixth-graders who currently help students cross the busy roads around the school.
The district intends to explore STEP program options this year and potentially implement them next year.
“It’s a nice way to bring a whole different group of people to see different activities in the school,” commented Manning E-S district exploring new program options on the STEP program.
Also that night, the Board discussed topics on the table for the employee handbook and budget committees. Those committees had meeting dates scheduled for this month, including meetings with staff for input, and planned to report back on progress next month.
On its business agenda that night, the Board approved the following:
• bid for Dodge Van awarded to Jacque Von Ruden, $500
• co-curricular resignation for John Artesensi, assistant dramatics
• co-curricular hires for Scott Dyar, History Club; Kraig Schneider, Archery Club; John Artesensi, dramatics advisor; Anna Westaby, vocal music advisor, elementary band advisor and assistant dramatics advisor
• hire Wayne Hanson and Greg Fjelstad for 4K bus drivers
• hire David Maug for regular route bus driver
• hire Ronnette Nelson for parttime custodian
• unpaid leave requests for teachers Carolyn Johnson and Amanda Peters
