NL School Board Tackles Many Issues

The New London School Board met on Nov. 18, 2024. With all members present and Superintendent Wahls joining by phone, the meeting was gaveled to order. The school board meeting opened with the annual organizational meeting. The board took the following actions:

With this, the organizational meeting was over and the regular meeting commenced. No one addressed the board in public forum, and they approved the agenda and the consent agenda.

The first order of business was the approval of various fundraisers. They included:

Next were various reports. The student ambassador was not available. Elementary principal Todd Palmatier reported that the Danville elementary principal requested that the two groups of teachers met to discuss Book Worms and literacy. They will meet Dec. 4. in New London. The winter music concert will be Dec. 5 for K-12. PTO is planning to make ornaments and distribute cookies on Dec. 13. The MS and elementary student councils will assemble the Thanksgiving baskets.

Secondary principal Scott Kracht commented on the success of the fall play with 36 students involved, and the blood drive that had 34 donations. Both principals commented on the excellent Veterans Day program and what a great job Katherine McAllister (NLHS 2018 graduate and United States Naval Academy) did with message to the students.

The Superintendent reported that the SRO (school resource officer) was on the job sooner than expected. His name is Preston Roberts, and he will have training with staff and students. The elementary will be getting Roberts’ input on starting a crosswalk safety group and the MS/HS is looking into starting conflict management training with the students. He also reported that the new bus is here and has seat belts.

In personnel matters, the following appointments were approved: James Oudenhoven — Assistant HS track coach; Kaleb Haeffner — Assistant HS boys BB coach pending proper approval; and Sara McCullum, Jeanne Mulford, and Lindsay Wesley — Special Education overload supplement.

The next item was board business. The STEM best grant contacted districts that were awarded the grant last year. They had money left over and districts that had previously participated can apply for up to $10,000 with no district contribution needed. Last year the money was used in the industrial tech program. The board approved the submission of a request for an additional $10,000.

The board also approved an early graduation request pending completion of the early graduation requirements.

They discussed the forming of an AD HOC Committee to look into starting an Ag. program and FFA chapter in New London vs. sharing with neighboring districts. It was tabled for now. It was decided that the board will have a work/budget session on Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m. to get their questions answered surrounding the options available. They will look into grant opportunities.

They discussed Board Policy 407.03 licensed employee retirement. Superintendent Wahls gave a brief history of early retirement for certified employees in the district. Things to be set are years of service, the amount offered, and the total number of teachers able to retire in a year when it is offered. The board approved 15 years of service, offering $50,000, and capping the number of retirees in one year to five.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:45 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London school board is Dec. 16, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the north campus boardroom.