Exeter -Milligan School Board Discusses Fall Plans

 

The Exeter-Milligan school board met on Wednesday, July 14 with board president Adam Erdkamp absent.

The board quickly worked through a hearing on student fees and parental involvement before closing them and opening the regular meeting. They approved the consensus agenda before moving on to the next item.

Superintendent Paul Sheffield gave an update on the summer projects. “They are moving right along. We will be ready to roll.  It’s gone fairly well.”

Sheffield also gave a brief glimpse of the 21-22 budget, “Our task asking will stay the same.  We will increase the budget a little.”

He went on to explain that expenses for this year’s budget will be down because of staff reduction.  The district did not replace the sixth grade teacher, one para and one cafeteria worker.

Sheffield informed the board that the district would be receiving around $95,000 in ESSER III (Elementary and Secondary school Emergency Relief)  funding. 

To comply with the requirements of the funding Sheffield distributed the return to school plan. The plan notes that face masks will be optional this fall.  He explained that the funds are geared toward districts that have not had in person learning.

Sheffield explained that if there was an outbreak of COVID the district would follow CDC and DHHS guidelines.

The board moved on to the policy updates.  The changes that were made in the policies were a result of changes made by the state legislature. 

The board adopted the federal free and reduced meal guidelines and approved the student and staff handbooks.  One change that was made restricted grades 6 – 8 from having their phones with them in the classroom.  They must be in their back packs or lockers but they can check messages after eating lunch.

Sheffield explained that the 9 – 12 have learned to manage their phone time but the 6 – 8^th grade have not yet.  They have discouraged phone usage at lunch time for all grades.

The school open house will be held on Thursday, August 12 from 5 -7 p.m.  The next board meeting will be August 11.