Paw Paw School board begins new year

Staff
Posted 9/7/17

At their recent meeting, the Board explained that school board meetings are held the third Monday of each month and are open to the public.

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Paw Paw School board begins new year

Posted

At their recent meeting, the Board explained that school board meetings, held the third Monday of each month, are open to the public, but are a “working” meeting, which means that the public has minimal input, so as not to take up their working time. Issues may be brought to the superintendent or a member of the school board at any time, and they will be addressed as appropriate.

The district is pleased to offer parents and guardians an option for credit card payments for their child’s school fees, lunches, and books via a credit card through an online payment service called RevTrak. There is no fee to use this service, and parents still have the option of paying with cash or check at school.

It was reported that the Back to School Bash was a rousing success, and was well-supported by the school and community.

New teachers Jessica Baustian, fourth grade, and David Alstadt, 6-7-8 history and language arts, were introduced and welcomed.

Erin Odle reported that volleyball and soccer practice has begun, with 15 students participating in volleyball, and 17 in soccer. Fifth graders have been brought up for the junior high teams.

Responsibility Sheets have gone out for signatures from students grades 8-12.

The consolidation report mentioned that sharing of class and teachers is being discussed with Earlville for the 2018-2019 school year.

Earlville does not have a PTELL (Property Tax Extension Law Limit) tax cap, and Paw Paw district does. How that will effect a merger is being discussed. The State may have final say, and make that a moot point. The district is hoping to expand ag, art, shop, and business classes; some classes have not had enough students to participate.

The board explained that any club associated with the school is limited to two fund raisers per year, and must be approved by the board. The board is working on clarifying this stipulation for all concerned, and will have it written up.

A.C.T.S. (Alumni, Community, Teachers, Students) group does not sell anything, and is working for the good of the community to help everyone. They have raised funds for new scoreboards in the gyms, and an electronic news board outside. They have paid for new banners for the senior gym. They hope to establish a liaison between ACTS and the board, for mutually beneficial communications.

The junior high gym has been repainted.

The FFA has requested permission to host the Section 2 soil judging on Sept. 13 at the Fitzpatrick farm on Goble Road. The National FFA convention will be in Indianapolis, Oct. 24-26.

Current enrollment is 187 students.