TCE students raise money for St. Croix Central School

BOYCEVILLE — The Boyceville school board learned that students from Tiffany Creek Elementary School raised some $450.00 for a donation to the elementary school in Roberts that was vandalized and set on fire.

During the regular monthly school board meeting Monday night the board reviewed written reports from the principals and the Special Education Director. Those three were on other school business including the regional track meet, while the board was meeting and District Superintendent Kevin Sipple discussed the reports with the board. He explained that the Tiffany Creek Elementary students raised the funds through their Helping Hands and Hat Day events. Sipple noted that Principal Nick Kaiser had delivered the money to the St. Croix Central School.

In his report, High School Principal, Steve Glocke furnished the board with the district’s 2013-15 Technology Plan for their review. His report indicated that the entire plan would be presented at the next board meeting.

Director of Special Education, Bonnie Barker’s report said, “May is Mental Health Awareness Month.”

In his report to the board, Sipple indicated that the new school bus has been delivered and is being used at this time. He expressed his congratulations to the Class of 2013, who are graduating this Friday and noted, “It has been an excellent school year.” He expressed his appreciation to the students, staff, parents and the community for support of the school.

He also noted to the board that all school board meetings starting with the meeting in July will start at 6:00 p.m. and that the June, July and August meetings will be held in the Library at Tiffany Creek Elementary.

In his written report, Sipple also addressed the school health insurance by informing the board, “The Affordable Health Care Act will have an impact on our employee health insurance plan. We know now it will increase our premiums and it will affect our plan design.”

Sipple praised two school employees that have retired this year from the school district. Sandy Stevens, a third grade teacher is retiring after 24 years with the district and Larry Hanestad, who retired in February after serving the district for 36 years as lead maintenance person.

Later in the meeting the board approved the hiring of two people to replace Stevens and Hanestad. The board accepted the administration’s recommendation of Eric Barnhardt for the open custodial/maintenance position and Shannon Bignell for the Third Grade teacher position. Sipple explained that Bignell had been employed with the district, but two years ago accepted a position in Eau Claire and now wanted to return to Boyceville.

The board also:

• Approved the resignation of Keri Peterson as JV Volleyball coach

• Accepted bids for the school lunch program for milk and bread.

• Accepted the bid from Bartingale Mechanical to replace three exhaust fans in the Middle School Gym. Sipple explained to the board that the present fans have not been used for some time because they make so much noise that people cannot hear what is going on in the gym.

Sipple noted that he has sat in the upper part of the seats during events and it is “uncomfortable at best, when full of people.” Board member Steve Bird echoed the same feelings about the gym. The new fans will be variable speed and are shaft driven and are quiet, Sipple said. The cost for the fans and installation is $6,756.00

The board also accepted a $6,000 DPI Financial Literacy Innovation grant.