NEW RIEGEL - New Riegel Board of Education members continue to be divided on the issue of post secondary students having to sign out and leave the facility for online college classes.
When the recommended rules pertaining to the 2013-14 post-secondary enrollment options courses were presented to board members by Principal Dave Rombach, Jeff Hohman stated his opposition again to the procedure. Jennifer Theis is concerned about the district being small and students leaving campus with few left in classes not involved in college courses.
Members have discussed the topic with community members and other school districts and have concluded the issue needs to be addressed at the state level.
Parent Scott Hohman suggested a collaboration between school districts to utilize Skype for teaching multiple school classes. Rombach said a true PSEO program encourages students taking college courses to be independent by signing out for either attending classes at the actual college or online in their home.
No decision was reached and the issue is to be decided in the next month in order to approve the policy in January to be followed for the 2013-14 school year.
Rombach also reported "Life after High School" informational sessions Dec. 21 for seniors with current alumni either in college or the work force.
Theis said 65 percent of New Riegel 7-12 grade students are involved in sports activities and led a discussion on new turf for the softball and baseball fields.
Superintendent Elaine Nye said the district has been approved for a Bureau of Workers' Compensation safety grant for a can crusher. She said the schools not leaving the MAL are to meet next week to discuss their future.
Nye encouraged board members to contact their senators about HB 555 that will revise the current academic performance ratings system for public schools. She said the House passed HB 191 that changes the minimum school year from 182 days to 455 hours. It now moves to the Senate.
In other business, the board:
Approved the treasurer's report.
Appointed Theis as president pro-tem to conduct the organizational meeting.
Increased the mileage reimbursement rate to $.45 per mile effective Jan. 1.
Approved a supplemental position for the 2012-13 school year
The board is to meet at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 for the 2014 fiscal year budget hearing followed by the organizational meeting in the library preceding the regular board meeting.
