By LeAnn R. Ralph
ELK MOUND — The Elk Mound school district is planning to conduct facilities assessments concerning the deferred maintenance needs of the district.
The Elk Mound Board of Education learned at the January 21 meeting that a representative for SDS Architects is planning to attend the school board’s February meeting.
SDS Architects will present a proposal to the school board for completing a cost analysis based on the facilities assessment and the district’s strategic plan, said Eric Wright, school district administrator.
The Elk Mound school district has some “big ticket” items that need to be replaced, such as roofs, boilers and windows, he said.
The Elk Mound Board of Education meets next on February 18.
Wellness policy
During the January 21 meeting, the school board also approved Policy 458, the local wellness policy.
The district’s food service audit went well, and as part of the audit, the district is required to update the existing wellness policy, Wright said.
Wright said he visited the state Department of Public Instruction’s website to use the “policy builder” to help update the wellness policy.
The wellness policy was revised to meet new requirements and to set goals, he said.
The updated policy includes “Smart Snacks” guidelines and includes information about only marketing food and beverages during the school day that meet the nutritional standards in the Smart Snacks guidelines.
The updated policy also includes a number of items the Elk Mound school district was already doing, such as endorsing physical activity both in and out of school; providing recess, weather permitting; providing and encouraging activities, such as clubs, before and after the school day; opening the gym for swimming when the high school and a chaperone are available; and providing crossing guards.
Other business
In other business, the Elk Mound school district:
• Approved open enrollment space openings for the 2019-2020 school year as follows: pre-kindergarten, unrestricted; first grade, 7; second grade, 20; third grade, 10; fourth grade, 20; fifth grade, 5; sixth grade, 10; seventh grade, 20; eighth grade, 10; grades 9 to 12, unrestricted. All special education classes have zero spaces available.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding that the school district will provide space for Marriage and Family Health Services.
• Learned that the Xcel Energy Energy Peak Control Program saved the school district $15,800 last year. The Elk Mound school district signed up for the program in 2006, and the program has saved the school district a significant amount of money over the years, Wright said.
• Approved the review of the safety drill on January 11 at all three buildings as per Act 143.
During a closed session, the Elk Mound Board of Education approved hiring McKayla Brunner as the assistant high school softball coach for the 2019 season.
