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Home / New London Journal News
School board makes SRO full-time
By Gina Anderson
Mar. 28, 2024 12:00 am
The New London School Board met in regular session on March 18, 2024 with all members present. Board President Lindsay Porter read a statement concerning how public forum will be conducted as per Board policy 213: comments will be kept to three minutes, the board will not be answering questions or participating in a discussion with the speaker.
The first speaker was Joe White, district art instructor. He was representing several teachers who wanted to express their support for Chad Wahls, Scott Kracht, and Todd Palmatier. According to him, these men demonstrate leadership, dedication, and have the goal of success for every District student. They demonstrate a willingness to always listen to everyone’s concerns.
The next speaker was Bridget Swailes, a teacher and coach in the District. She urged the District to start a 7-12 cross-country program for New London students after many years of sharing a program with Danville.
Koral Fuson asked a question about submitting a petition. It had been explained that the board was not taking questions during public forum and someone would get back to her.
Jesse Howard spoke in favor of hiring a full-time SRO to keep New London students and staff as safe as possible.
The first topic was fundraisers and donations. They approved the two fundraisers presented.
The board heard from two student ambassadors, who reported on the upcoming prom and the blood drive.
The two principals reported next. They discussed parent-teacher conferences, upcoming testing, the career fair at the high school, scheduling for next year, and student council activities. Both men urged attendance at Dollars for Scholars.
Superintendent Wahls reported that the data from the four-day school week is in. It broke down as follows: (Yes — for 4-day week/no — keep as is now)
- Students (Grades 6 — 12) — 74.8% — yes / 5.3% — need more information (NMI) / 19.8% — no.
- 43 Staff — 63% — yes / 22% — NMI / 5% — no.
- Support Staff — 12% — yes / 29% — NMI / 59% — no.
- 251 Parents — 53.6% — yes / 19.6% — NMI / 26.8% — no.
The SIAC committee will continue to look at the data, but no further action will be taken at this time.
Wahls reported on the search for an activities director. Some people that showed interest felt $34,000 is inadequate. There are currently three applicants at this time that will be interviewed.
The Board took the following actions:
- Approved 2024-25 School Resource Officer for a full-time position for 40 hours per week for 36 weeks. The motion passed with Mike McBeth and Becky Hays dissenting.
- Approved Fume Xtractor purchase for $14,825.00 to ACS Inc. (Part of STEM Best Grant).
- Approved Ironworker purchase for $15,461.00 to Scotchman (Part of STEM Best Grant).
- Approved 2024-2025 AEA purchasing cooperative purchasing agreement.
- Approved sharing agreement with Mt. Pleasant to host dance.
- Approved sharing agreement with Mt. Pleasant to host HS girls soccer.
- Approved sharing agreement with Mt. Pleasant to host boys & girls bowling.
- Approved sharing agreement with Danville to host MS Coed and boys soccer.
- Approved sharing agreement with Danville for Transportation Director services.
- Approved providing 7-12 boys & girls cross-country program for New London students.
The School Board took the following actions on personnel matters:
- Resignations: Jess Swanson — Assistant MS Boys basketball coach.
- Appointments: Patrice Williams — Elementary classroom teacher; Kristen Rohdy — Elementary classroom teacher; Chevelle Mills and Angela Buckman- Special education associates; and Austin Burns — seasonal groundskeeper @ $14/hr.
The following overload contracts were terminated: Lauren Jones, Jeanne Mulford, and Lindsay Wesely — Special education and Joe White — Elementary Art.
They then had the third reading of Board Policy 705.04 & 705.04 R(1) — Public Purpose Expenditures with a $3,000 cap and the first reading of Board policies 210.01-217.
The Board then went into exempt session to discuss negotiations.
The next regular session of the New London School Board will be April 15, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the north campus boardroom.
