The news from Watonga School Board was largely positive when it met in regular session Monday evening.
Superintendent Kyle Hilterbran noted that there were a lot of good things going on and the positive vibes were in the climate of the schools.
One of those good things was recent essential standard assessments. Scores were up in general terms, and students who needed additional help, such as in core classes, were getting it. The schools are now considered professional learning communities – PLC for short – and high school principal Todd Overstreet said, “The teachers have worked hard on this and are really committed to it.” The system encourages educators to meet regularly, share their experiences and expertise, while working together to improve teaching skills and student academics.
Over at the elementary school, principal Ashley Stewart said work on targeted intervention planning for students struggling in various topics was ongoing, especially in Title 1 and special education areas. She also said the gym will get its new bleachers installed Sept. 19.
The improved scores in essential standards were a reason to celebrate, Hilterbran pointed out.
“We need to celebrate our successes as much as possible,” he interjected. The mission of learning in physical safety and comfort in a culture free of ridicule is being met.
During Hilterbran’s report to the board, he went over many of the upgrades to the campuses, whether completed or in the planning stages. They included a newly surfaced teacher parking lot, a new scoreboard and new turf in the football stadium and a broadcasting and e-sports program where students bring the games to life. The band has new equipment, and the ag department is also growing with its new barn facility, equipment and its show team is doing well in competitions.
Bids on the cafeteria build are to be opened Sept. 21 and the gym build blueprints are ready to go out for bid as well. The improvements are due largely to gross production money the district receives on natural resources from the area. The district income stands at $1.4 million thus far this year, with a prediction of $8.75 million for the entire year. Of that, gross production is estimated to provide more than $2 million. The school carryover from year to year is estimated at $8.9 million.
The district has plans to continue to upgrade and build while gross production remains high, so as to be in good shape going into leaner years, school board president Aaron Clewell explained.
The board also recommended revisiting its gifted and talented policy because there are some students who are not being designated as such although they are outstanding in non-core classes. For instance, a student may be a musical virtuoso, and there are funds available to the schools for developing those skills and talents that the district may not be taking advantage of now.
The board agreed to sell as surplus some older cheerleading uniforms and to send nine FFA members to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis Oct. 26-29. Alumni Abbie Boeckman and Riley Coleman will travel to the convention as well to receive their American Farmer degrees, a level of participation now presented to graduates of a program.