Community examines Clintonville elementary school needs
By Bert Lehman
The Elementary Facilities Task Force recently held its first meeting.
At the April 11 Clintonville School Board meeting board member Jim Schultz provided an update about the task force. He said the task force includes 31 members of the community.
Members of the task force were given a tour of the elementary school facility during the meeting.
“We had some interesting ideas,” Schultz said. “A lot of things came up through the tour. I think people became educated.”
Board President Ben Huber explained to those in attendance that the task force will come up with recommendations that will be presented to the community.
“We are looking at all of the possible options,” Huber said.
Clintonville School District Superintendent Tom O’Toole told the board that members of the community should have already received a mailing regarding the elementary school facilities.
School calendar
The board unanimously approved tabling the approval of the 2017-18 school calendar.
O’Toole informed the board the only difference between the two calendars being presented was the length of the break around Easter. One calendar included no school the Thursday and Friday prior to Easter and the Monday after Easter. The other option included no school for the entire week prior to Easter.
O’Toole said he sent a survey to all school staff and received 137 responses. Of those responses, 22 said it didn’t matter to them either way, while 70 said they preferred the weeklong break, and 45 said they preferred only three days off.
Personnel
The board unanimously approved support staff resignations, for the purpose of retirement, effective June 3, for Gail Cowden (Longfellow Para I) and Sue Reindl (Longfellow custodian II).
Gymnastics equipment
The administration recommended the board approve the sale/disposal of the district’s gymnastics equipment.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, Justin Mc Auly, Parks and Recreation director for the city of Clintonville, asked the board to consider the needs of the city before making a decision about the gymnastics equipment. He said the city uses some of the equipment.
The board unanimously approved tabling the issue until the district can find out from the city which items it uses.
“If the items stayed in Clintonville we’d all be happy with that,” said board member Jim Dins.