Highland School Board December Meeting

The Highland County School Board’s regular monthly meeting was brief and to the point in December, with presentations and reports accounting for most of the business.

6 FFA members were on hand to report to the Board on their trip to the National Convention. Besides participation in Convention activities, the group also visited Cabela’s, several crop and livestock farms, Indianapolis Speedway, Indianapolis Zoo, Willis Tower in Chicago, and a Cole Swindel concert. FFA leader Steve Heavner paid special recognition to Jeremy Johnson, who won the state competition for small engine repair – unfortunately, there is no national competition for him to dominate as well.

Elementary principal Teresa Blum reported on the Veteran’s Day program and lunch in November – she also noted Santa would be dropping by the school on December 16^th. High School principal Tim Good praised the tree lighting ceremony organized by the National Honor Society and SCA. He praised the athletic team accomplishments the past Friday, where both middle school teams as well as the varsity girls team notched basketball victories.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Schott reported on the school system’s new approach to STEM programs, which involves taking projects into the elementary school classrooms. He also praised the accomplishments of the expanded culinary classes, and the proficiency of the skills shown by the welding class.

In action items, the Board:

• Approved personnel items as discussed in closed session
• Authorized the superintendent to go before the Board of Supervisors for 3^rd quarter appropriations and a new bus lease request
• Approved the first draft of the 2018-19 calendar to allow for feedback and revisions
• And approved the consent agenda and payment of bills.

The Board’s next meeting will be January 9^th.