NL School Board approves halftime SRO position

The New London School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Jesse Howard was absent. The Board took a tour of the construction site and was impressed with how both projects are shaping up.

No one addressed the Board in public forum. They approved an amended agenda and the consent agenda that included two open enrollment requests.

They heard reports next. Elementary Principal Todd Palmatier reported on upcoming summer professional development. Secondary Principal Scott Kracht talked about new teacher boot camp and how it gives them a “leg-up” on getting acclimated to a new District and a new job.

Superintendent Wahls was next. Several teachers are conducting various activities including Running Club and basketball camps for students and they are being very well attended. Wahls appreciates the teachers’ willingness to give of their time to get the kids up and out with physical activity.

He informed the Board that the District’s firewall needs to be updated and some other tech upgrades The other issue is some sidewalk work that will go from the elementary to the new gym. The Board will have an electronic meeting to consider the bids and make a decision later in the month.

The next item was concerning the hiring of a school resource officer (SRO). District representatives visited Pekin and Central Lee. They are very different programs. Both schools felt that the SRO’s presence was very helpful. Three of the biggest considerations are getting the right person, the amount of time spent in the District, and the cost. The first decision for New London was halftime or fulltime. The Board voted to start the program off at halftime with the eventuality of getting to fulltime.

The Board took the following actions:

• Approved $4.85 for adult meal prices for 2023/2024.

• Approved 2023/2024 contracts for Tyson Wintermeyer, Food Service Director, and Emily Parks, Activities Director. Both positions will be a 210-day contract.

• Approved 2023-2024 miscellaneous activity stipend of $50 for substitute activity supervisors.

• Approved preschool, elementary, and MS/HS handbooks with very few changes.

• Approved coaches handbook with the addition of consequences for not serving detentions or excessive detentions impacting practice time for athletes.

• Approved a finish for the new gym floor’s concrete slab if the moisture testing comes back too high. The finish will seal the floor making it ready for the wood flooring. This money, if necessary, will come out of the bond contingency fund.

In personnel matters the Board approved the following:

• Resignations: Mike Richart - Early literacy/Title I associate and Patrice Williams - Special ed. associate.

• Appointments: James Cary, Donnie Hopper, Floyd Schweer, Melissa Jacobs - Bus drivers; Duane Blint, Shelly Hardester, Jerry Wilhelm, Annette Worthy, Duane Worthy, - Substitute bus drivers; James Oudenhoven - HS social studies teacher; Joseph White - Elementary art-extended contract $7,188.50; Angie Syfert and Luann Martin - TLC funded teacher mentors; Charity Ngugi - District substitute; Brandi Allen - Title I Associate; Jessica Miller - Elementary Librarian/ up to 80 additional hours @ $15.65/hr; Jake Lerdal - Asst. HS wrestling coach; Crystal Mortimer, Jennifer Lane, Taran VanAmerongen - kitchen workers @ $15/hr; Coree Eland, Randee Duncan - kitchen workers @ $14/hr; and Regina Staley - kitchen substitute @ $14/hr.

The next regular meeting of the New London School Board will be July 17, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the North Campus Board room.