At the Monday night meeting of the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Board of Education, the group heard a presentation from First Onsite Property Restoration, a nationwide company that deals with emergency response planning and restoration. Superintendent Joe Nelson explained that the necessity for this service arose last year when the district considered what they would do in the case of a disaster like a derecho or a tornado. First Onsite can handle various aspects of a disaster from water, fire, and smoke damage to general contracting and reconstruction. The company establishes protocols for response and comes in to do the work afterwards. The presenters added that they do not charge the district to make the plan. They charge in the event their services are needed. Nelson noted that the board will consider this at future meetings.
In Nelson’s superintendent’s report, he said that ground will be broken later this week east of the high school for the baseball/softball complex, with an expected finish date on that project of May. Nelson added that the middle school gym project has been delayed by the difficulty getting steel and preliminary work on that project likely won’t begin for a month. In other updates, Nelson added that the district will launch a new, modern website next month.
A 28E agreement was approved with Kids Korner for the daycare to purchase meals from the school. Board President Beth Severson reported that the early childhood committee is making good progress. Recently, representatives from the hospital, Hagie and the school district were added to the Kids Korner Board which will give those entities a seat at the table as the early learning center moves forward. Those three groups have committed to contributing funds to the project.
In other business, District Treasurer Susan Toftey gave the annual treasurer’s report and Anita Frye gave the secretary’s report. Both were satisfied with the district’s financial position. Nelson noted that early enrollment data looks like the district’s numbers will go up, but that won’t be fully determined until October.
In work agreements, the board approved the hiring of Tom Simmons and Mary LaRue for nutrition positions. Alondra Perez Aragon and Ramona Valdivia-Cruz were hired as ESL paras. Sean Babinat was issued a contract as assistant football coach.
