The Shirley School Board consists of President, Collene Halldorson, Vice President, Jason Wood, Secretary, Rose Owen and Samantha Shull. Collene Halldorson, Board President, called meeting to order and established a quorum. Halldorson, wanted to clarify that this meeting was a regular scheduled meeting and was not open for discussion from the audience, the open meeting takes place in October. Halldorson stated there are three (3) functions of the school board, establish local policy, prepare the budget and the hiring of a superintendent.
Elementary Principal, Micheal Bramlett introduced a few of the new teachers that were present at the meeting. Kari Holstead, Middle Level English, Social Studies and Science, Lynda Sisco, Elementary Sp. Ed, Jacob Barton, 5th & 6th Grade Math, Blake Craft, Music & Band and heather Sale, 4 Grade. Bramlett continued with a short video presentation of the students and how they are adjusting and interacting well at the beginning of the school year.
Superintendent, Tyrene Gardner, presented the financial report and stated that the school district is living well within their means.
Garner also pointed out the state funding will be giving 12 payments instead of 11 as they have in the past. There is a reduced amount of funding because of a slight decrease in students. This school year there are 183 elementary and 168 high for a total of 351 students.
The board passed a resolution to only have one voting district to save money since there was only one candidate, Andrea Brown, for an at large position.
Stacey and Leo Brandmeyer of Fairfield Bay, requested that their foster child, Sofie, be transferred to West Side for special needs training of the Barton System. The barton System is specially designed for one-on-one training for children with dyslexia. Barton is “multisensory,” it uses all the senses to help kids make connections between sounds and words. Barton encourages one-on-one teaching for best results. The maximum number of students working with one instructor is three. Although, Superintendent, Gardner felt Shirley has the staff to teach Barton, Stacey Brandmeyer made her case that West Side was better equipped to handle the individualized training that Sofie better learns from. After some discussion, the board voted to accept the transfer.
Five resignation letters were reviewed and accepted by the board. Gardner stated these teachers were moving on to bigger and better things.
Superintendent, Gardner, is working hard to fill the vacant IT position whether full-time or part-time for the schools computer systems. She is working on several possible solutions.
Fairfield Bay News
