Tipton R-VI School Board heard a report on the bus service transition from district -owned to contracted at the regular monthly meeting, Monday, Jan. 11. Transportation Director Dean Bishop and Jay Uchtmann, representing Apple Bus Company, reported on the transition. In answer to a question by Superintendent Scott Jarvis, Uchtmann said the buses will continue to be housed in the school-owned bus barn. The board approved the sale of the district-owned bus fleet, except for one bus, to Apple Bus Company in December for $284,820. The district would have preferred to keep its own school buses, but the lack of drivers was one of the factors which led to the decision to contract the service out.
Jarvis went over the revenues, expenditures and fund balances comparing them to the previous year. Following a program evaluation by school nurse Jolene Garber, who mentioned the need for a bathroom in the nurses' office, Jarvis spoke to the board about the possibility of installing the needed toilet. It will be looked into. The cost was estimated to be about $5,000.
The board was presented with a status report on the building project. In addition, a consensus of the board was to proceed with the work of replacing the high school bleachers, explaining that it could be possible to use the bids previously received for the work. When information is gained, the board will make a decision at the February meeting. Jarvis also updated the board on the progress of the Ag addition and said he would like to look into getting the track-event areas improved while the contractors are still on-site.
Elementary Principal Kelly Kohler reported the December 2015 enrollment for K-6 at 299, up from the 284 number in December 2014. Attendance for December was 95 percent, down slightly from the year before.
Elementary students held a Christmas Concert on Dec. 8. Grades one to three performed as well as the pop Choir and the fifth and sixth grade elementary band. The Pop Choir also performed in the community at several facilities. Junior High / High School Principal Ellen Allee reported December 2015 seventh and eighth grade enrollment of 92, up from 90 in December of 2014. Dec. 2015 high school enrollment was 219, down from the 223 enrolled in December 2014.