The Geary School Board met in regular session Oct. 3. All members were present.
Christi Burns, who serves as the principal for the middle and high schools, said the students really enjoyed the scavenger hunt hosted during the Geary Fair. The focus of teachers and administration for the first few weeks of school has been communication between campuses and staffers. To that end, the elementary has a weekly newsletter and the schools share their Google calendars.
“WE are working to build a positive climate and get all the campuses involved and on the same page,” Burns said. She also said having the football players and cheerleaders at student drop off was wildly popular with the students, especially the younger ones who look up to those student athletes.
Burns also touched on recent successes by the academic team and noted the culinary group was learning presentation basics. “It’s fun to see them learning to garnish, “she said. Plans for the upcoming weeks are all focused on building a culture of trust on the campuses and with staff.
Board president Jason Bernhardt asked superintendent Sean Buchanan to clarify an agenda item on vehicle purchases.
Buchanan explained the school wanted to purchase two new vehicles. One of the cars was to replace a driver’s education car that had been sold two years ago, with hopes to begin teaching driver’s ed again.
It could also be used to transport teachers and staff to meetings and trainings, rather than paying mileage on private vehicles.
The second vehicle is to replace a van that is in poor condition. Buchanan said the cars would be purchased on state contract pricing, and some COVID 19 funding could go toward the costs. The smaller car, a Ford Escape, is quoted at $26,998 while the larger one, a Ford Expedition, is quoted at $45,297. The board agreed to go ahead with those purchases.
In other business, the board accepted the resignation of Marla O’Nesky, who has served for several years as special education director. O’Nesky has agreed to stay at the schools, working on a contract rather than as an employee, until a replacement can be hired. The board also accepted the resignation of Hollye Wood, a support staff member, and agreed to hire Jacee Lewis as an aide at the Baby Bison Ranch.