Highland Schools Waiting for Budget Information

The Highland County School system’s budgeting process is at a standstill until more information is received from the state on funding reductions. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Schott informed attendees at Monday night’s school board meeting that it would likely be February before budget related work sessions could resume.

Dr. Schott also expressed how impressed he and the respective high school and elementary school principals had been with teachers and staff during classroom observations. He praised the efforts he saw by teachers to guide students to upper level thinking versus rote memorization of answers. HCEA representative Susan Glendinning expressed the teachers’ appreciation for feedback they had received from these reviews.

Community involvement was also mentioned, with numerous volunteers having responded to the school system’s request for additional assistance.

In other agenda items, the Board heard a report from elementary school principal Teresa Blum on the October 3rd Family Fun Night and the previous week’s Halloween carnival. Parent/teacher conferences will be held this Thursday from 1:30 to 6:30.

The Board accepted the consent agenda and declared a bus as surplus equipment.

During the community participation period, Karla Obaugh requested that personnel decisions voted on by the Board be included in meeting minutes once accepted for future reference. She also asked that the school website be updated to reflect current staff and contact information.

The Board’s regularly scheduled meeting will be moved to the second Monday of the month for December and January, due to holiday considerations.