PAC fund-raisers approved by school board
Despite concerns of USD #408 board members regarding the continuation of a fifth-grade fund-raiser, the board approved 4-2 the continuation of the PAC promotion.
Allison Shults represented PAC at Monday's board of education meeting to ask board approval for PAC to continue with previous fund-raising activities.
The board approved a PAC carnival, spring photographs, the fifth-grade fund-raiser, and the sale of T-shirts and yearbooks.
Previously the fifth-grade classes raised more than $3,000 each year with $1,000 being raised through the PAC carnival. The funds are returned to Marion Elementary School and this year have been used for dry erase boards and fans. One project PAC is working on, said Shults, was playground equipment on the west side for the fifth graders.
Board members Kathy Meierhoff and Keith Collett said they were not in favor of the fund-raiser. Meierhoff said it takes away from other fund-raisers such as Scouts.
Board member Sarah Cope said some schools start fund-raising in kindergarten.
In the past, board member Jan Helmer said she was not pleased with money not being spent but said PAC is doing better now in spending money.
"Without the fifth-grade fund-raiser, PAC can't do as much," Helmer said.
Marion Elementary School Principal Stan Ploutz said students are not "forced" to sell.
The board approved the request 4-2 with Chris Sprowls and Collett against.
In other business:
- The board accepted the resignation of Sandra Vetter as a teacher's aide at MES, approved the hiring of Tammy Williams and Mindy Maag as aides, and Tamara Christensen as Marion High School assistant volleyball coach, and approved a new district policy book.
The board also granted a request for out-of-district students to attend district schools. They are Clark and Raleigh Kroupa of Centre school district. Clark will be a sixth grader and Raleigh will be in the fourth grade.
- Lyle Leppke, board representative of Marion County Special Education Cooperative, reported the cooperative board heard possible site locations for a new facility. He said it was important to discuss the costs for the project.
The cooperative will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Florence.
- Marion Middle School Principal Tod Gordon reported there were seven new students.
- The board recessed for a 30-minute executive session to discuss personnel with superintendent Lee Leiker and MHS principal Ken Arnhold in attendance.
A special meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the central office to discuss options for the building project.
