In new business at the CGD Board of Education meeting Monday night, Superintendent Dr. Bob Olson explained that members of the Wright County Trails Committee met to propose an agreement with the school district to provide access to a bike trail. Their original plan was to use the railroad line that is immediately north of high school property. Since Gold Eagle Co-op owns that property and is storing rail cars, the committee needed another alternative. The committee wishes to use the abandoned Vita trail on the north portion of the property. The Vita trail, a one-mile long trail, was constructed a number of years ago by the Clarion Jaycees and encircles the Clarion High School buildings and property. The board voted to develop a 28E agreement with the county to provide access for the bike trail.
The board reaffirmed the plans for commencement which will take place Saturday, June 27 at 6 p.m. with a rain date on Sunday the 28th. Dr. Olson noted that the district will provide water to those attending.
Regarding the upcoming baseball and softball season, Olson asked the board to support the administrative position of not allowing players from other districts to play on the CGD teams. This is something that the governor and the state athletic associations are allowing. The board concurred with Olson’s position and voted to not allow outside players. (This topic will be discussed more in a Monitor story next week).
Though they had the ability to raise prices by 15 cents, the board voted to increase meal prices for high school students by only 10 cents. Olson noted this is necessary as the nutrition program has been in deficit spending for a while.
In staffing changes, the board approved four resignations: Mary Ann LaRue, Elda Myers, Morgan Katz, and Hope Reichter. They also approved employment contract/work agreements for Maycie Rector as 7th volleyball coach and Hayley Anderson as elementary secretary, in addition to Sonia Vinsand for football cheer coach. The board expanded Brenda Rauch’s work agreement from part-time to full-time, starting July 1.
The Early Childhood Education Center and Committee was discussed. The district continues to focus on how a partnership with Kids Korner could serve a public purpose and have an educational component, something that Olson and the board continue to explain is a necessity for the district’s involvement in the project. Superintendent-elect Joe Nelson added, “We really need to see a business plan with costs put to paper. These are public funds that we’re using so we can’t run on hypotheticals.” The board plans to take up the topic again next meeting.
The district continues to work on a “Return to Learn” plan, which is due to the state July 1. This plan will detail what steps the district will be taking the upcoming school year to get back to school in the midst of COVID-19 concerns. The Monitor will share more information about the district’s plan as it develops.
Board president Beth Severson presented Dr. Olson with a plaque commemorating and thanking him for his years of service to the district as he nears retirement at the end of the month. The Monitor hopes to feature Olson in a longer story later this summer.
