Geary School Board met Sept. 6 in a rescheduled session to accommodate the Labor Day holiday.
The meeting largely focused on the events of the new school year, including the beginning of cheer for third through sixth grade and the start up of Boys and Girls Club at the elementary school.
The high school principal Christa Burns noted that students are already busy with multiple activities, including FFA shows, baking contests, band practice and cross country meets. The food pantry has reopened and support programs are underway both for new teachers and Native students grades five and up.
Gretchen Melvin has taken over as the director of the Baby Bison Ranch, where 17 children are enrolled. There are 10 children at the Bison Academy.
The board voted to change its policy on pay for those under covid quarantine, reducing it from 10 days to five days. This reflects the change in guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which now advises those who are symptom free five days after a positive test may return to work.
Following an executive session, the board accepted the resignations of Barbara Paukei and Lois Hicks as non-certified support staff and the hiring of Lowell Price as a middle school English teacher. Chelsea Pratt was hired as middle school support staff. The board also granted Superintendent Sean Buchanan authority to purchase real for teachers.
Buchanan, in his report to the board, discussed the recent election in which Geary voters turned down the proposition for a new school campus for the third time. He reported how many residents had come to him expressing support for the district. Looking ahead, he outlined goals to update the technology and noted the district needs vehicles for the transportation department and his hope is to work with state contracted companies to gain price advantages.
Buchanan said the work on a Greenfield teacherage had been completed, the yard was readied and a teacher and family were in the process of moving in.
When board members made their comments, Cecil Harrall said that even though the school bond vote did not go in the school’s favor, he knew the staff would give their all to educate the students, while Waylan Upchego pointed out the excitement students are showing over the new school year. He said there are 25 students who get up early on Saturdays to run cross country and others attend football and softball games. He said he has commended the coaches on the creation of a culture and enthusiasm that is catching among the students, and that he hasn’t seen in a while. He greatly commended the coaches and staff for their part in that growth.
The board will meet next at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Geary High School library.