The first regular meeting of 2019 for the Nome School Board was, as Board President Brandy Arrington called it, “short and sweet.”
In the Superintendent report, Bill Schildbach gave an update on the employee insurance bid paperwork:
“We’re completing it, and it should be out at this time, so we’re hoping first week in February, we’ll get all that back with some good numbers and good information.”
Schildbach went on to share that he has partnered with the Special Education Department to seek out funding for a 4-wheel-drive van with a wheelchair lift, as currently, the district does not have one, and students are in need of it. Schildbach says they’re working to develop community partners to fund the van, and transportation costs can likely be covered by Medicaid.
Superintendent Schildbach also made the Board aware of the Community Share request he submitted Monday for $30,000 to replace the phone system at Nome Elementary School. Given that replacement parts for the current system are unavailable, he says the district will replace the system this school year whether they secure the funds or not.
When it was time for community comments, Nome resident Pat Booth shared her concern over a lack of a recognition for Nome-Beltz cheerleaders, due to a missing banner.
“I was looking around the Nome-Beltz gym, and I see all the banners hanging down, and I see one for the cheerleaders for their regional championship last year, but they got state championship. And I see no banner hanging there. I checked with ASAA, and it’s up to the school to order one. So if it was ordered, why isn’t it up, and if not, why not?”
Brandy Arrington assured Booth that her concern will not be ignored.
Towards the end of the meeting, the board acted to renew 2019-2020 administrator contracts for John Berkeley, Jamie Burgess, Mindi Burford, John Dowell, and Elizabeth Dillman.
The Nome School Board will next convene at a work session on Tuesday January 22, and a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 12.
Image at top: Bill Schildbach speaks at the start of the Nome School Board meeting on January 15, 2019. Photo: Katie Kazmierski, KNOM.
