September 8, 2025 at 6:30 PM - Monthly Meeting

Discussion:  The budget hearing was opened. There were no questions or comments, so the hearing was closed. 

Discussion:  Kirsten Baird shared with the board different things her fifth graders were doing: Personal narrative - outline, rough draft, typing/ Fifteen minutes of fame/ Complete predicates and subjects/ and she also reported the Husky Closet has been a big success and is ready for the open house. Lastly, she thanked the board for all that they do for the school and staff. 

Discussion:  Ross Cole showed the board the basketball warm-up jackets that had been purchased and shared about the weightlifting program he has been leading.  There are three meets on the schedule this year ... and he is hoping for a league championship. There are sixteen boys and five girls participating this year. 

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard and Shanna Hammond joined the meeting. 

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman reviewed the Building Needs Assessment with the board, which includes a review of the state assessment scores. 

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard had a discussion with the Fire Marshall this year in regard to second-grade students and below, being on the upper level of the school building.  In past conversations, they said we could not do that without a lot of waivers and documentation. Now ... they have said that the rule is not valid. This opens up possible classroom changes that were not available before. Conversations about student accessibility and teacher availability take place continually about the best way to meet student needs and streamline resources.  Mr. Tharman stated that he wants to encourage "out-of-the-box" conversations with the hope that if and when changes occur, they have been thoroughly examined. Mr. Tharman suggested adding this item to the monthly agenda to continue the conversation.

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared the updated teacher evaluation schedule with the board. 

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard shared with the board about the bus breakdown going to the JH games last week.  A huge thank you to Jeremy Blackwill of Quinter for getting the bus going again. Bus #19 is getting the belt and pulleys looked at. Bus #13, has been turned into insurance regarding the damage caused by the tree limb; still waiting on an estimate. 

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared that the District Leadership Team (DLT) had the six-month review last week, with Dr. Amber Miller.  This review takes a look at the goal that was set and evaluates progress. The goal set by the DLT in May was to have all K - 4 classroom teachers trained in structured literacy. The DLT plans to keep community stakeholders updated on the progress of the goal. 

Discussion:  Mr. Tharman shared the following: Stay tuned to the school calendar for all of the sports ( VB, FB, CC) and activities (FFA, Yearbook)/ Home Volleyball game tomorrow night/ Home Football game on Friday (early start 6:00 PM)/ Carport to be here on Thursday (Special thanks to Bob Hawks for the use of a lift)/ Someone hit support cable by FB field and Prairieland Electric fixed/ Homecoming week- Sept. 14th - 20th/ Hearing & vision screenings. - 24th/ KACRO - Norton campus College planning career fair/ and David Pendleton presentation (Huck Boyd) at the end of the month. 

Discussion:  Mr. Gebhard shared about the LETRS training. LETRS stands for Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling. It is a professional development course for educators that provides in-depth knowledge about how students learn to read and spell. By May 2026, all Northern Valley K - 4 teachers will be certified in LETRS. Mr. Gebhard would like to thank those who have been promoting the Box Tops program, as well as all who support it. The elevator has been installed at the Grade School; however, an incorrect switch was provided, and we are waiting for that to be replaced before use. The second-floor elevator opening is being measured for a better door.  The JH has twelve girls out for volleyball and eleven boys out for football (seven of those are able to play tackle).