Monday’s meeting of the Perry Community School District was as tightly organized and smoothly progressing as is commonly hoped for until discussion arrived at the final topic on the agenda, listed under “Late Items.”
While nothing controversial arose, Board President Kyle Baxter started a long discussion by mentioning he and Superintendent Clark Wicks met the week before with three architectural firms regarding the proposed upgrades to Dewey Field and its related facilities.
The VanKirk family has stepped forward with a donation of $350,000 to the school, contingent upon the board matching those funds and then using the money to make needed improvements to Dewey Field and the surrounding area, including bleachers, rest rooms, concessions stands and a new main entrance.
Larson Engineering has emerged as the leading choice to oversee the project, with Baxter and Wicks hoping to meet with representatives from the firm next week to begin discussions.
Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger and Wicks contacted schools that hired Larson for similar projects, and both districts said they would happily re-hire the firm for future work, with each offering strong recommendations.
Wicks said he hoped planning can begin in September, with the goal of letting bids in January. The work would then begin next spring, he said, and the district would like to see the first stages complete for the start of the 2018-2019 school year.
While no official action was taken, Wicks said he hoped the project would include a “signature entrance” to the remodeled area, perhaps an overhead arch with a piece of art or something else that “would show our Bluejay pride to everyone who visits.”
Monday’s gathering began with the board setting a date for the public hearing for an easement to the Dallas County Conservation Board regarding a section of the bicycle trail connecting Perry to Woodward. The public hearing will commence at 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 11, just prior to the regularly scheduled meeting of the board.
Director of Teaching and Learning Kevin Vidergar informed the board of the workshops and new staff orientation held last week for 15 new teachers in the districts. Vidergar briefly touched on work completed and noted all staff would soon have in-service duties to prepare for the new school year starting Wednesday.
Perry Elementary School Principal Ned Menke shared his reflections on the two-day School Administrators of Iowa annual conference he recently attended, thanking the board for permitting him to take part in a “great learning experience.”
Some discussion was held before the board approved five legislative priorities for the upcoming session of the Iowa Legislature. Included were calls for the continuance of the statewide penny tax, ensuring all four-year old children have access to high quality public school preschool programs and for the adequate and timely funding of English Language Learner needs, an issue of particular importance to Perry.
The board also opted to push for an end to unfunded mandates and to see the state move forward on accepting alternative licensures.
Approved were agreements with Genesis Development for additional support of students with disabilities who require extra assistance in preparing to enter the workforce.
Revision to board policies, the student handbook, IASB amendments for school nutrition programs and the naming of three additional PLC leaders were all approved.
The board consented to two additional fundraisers for the girls high school basketball program, for meal contracts with both Head Start and the Perry Child Development Center and for allowable growth for special education by the School Budget Review Committee.
Numerous personnel matters were also approved, with Wicks noting that despite the seemingly high number of transfers and resignations, all schools were adequately staffed for the upcoming school year.
The PCSD Board of Education meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Brady Library at Perry High School. The public is welcome to attend.
