Rachel LeBeane
Breeze-Courier Writer
KINCAID — The South Fork Board of Education held a regular meeting immediately following a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
It was business as usual for the board. High school and junior high Principal Stephen Groll reported that the student’s were continuing to make great strides in overcoming their learning loss from COVID. He informed the Board that the junior high students were making exceptional gains in the English and Language Arts especially. Groll shared that the students had risen consistently from testing around the 50th percentile to the 70th percentile. The eight grade students were also showing high levels of stability in reaching goals and maintaining them.
“The kids aren’t yo-yoing as much anymore, so we can really focus on getting them the exact help they need.” Groll shared.
Superintendent Chris Clark also added that the district overall had a commendable rating from the state. While there were still targeted issues, like chronic absenteeism, overall the students were performing at or above grade level.
Clark also told the Board that he had received a rough estimate of the cost to tuck point the buildings. It would come in around $100,000. With the 50/50 matching maintenance grant from the state, that would only require the district to come up with $50,000 to get the project done. The Board voted to go ahead with using the maintenance grant fro tuck pointing.
The Board was also alerted to a leaking science lab on the third floor. The water was coming down on to the new second floor tiles. Clark had someone come in to estimate the repairs, and they came in at around $18,000. He also said that he managed to get thirty new lightbulbs to replace the ones ruined by the power surges free of charge since they were still under warranty. The surge protectors were coming, so once they were installed, Clark said they would get the new lightbulbs in.
The Board also agreed to recommend the seniors look into an alternate plan for their trip, since none of them were comfortable with the cruise idea.
Also approved at the meeting:
– Treasurer’s report
– Bills
– Minutes
– Tax Levy
– Handbook changes to semester exam incentive exemptions
The next regular meeting of the South Fork Board of Education will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the district Media Center.
