The California R-I School Board discussed the school bond proposal at the regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Dec. 18.
The proposed bond issue will be on the April ballot. Contingent on the bond proposal passing, the board voted on the lowest bid for the athletic stadium renovations. Prior to the vote, a number of items were discussed including the matter of whether a grass field or turf field would be more cost effective. The board approved a turf field.
The width of the aisle walkways in the bleachers was also discussed with approval for wider than standard aisles for an additional $4,000. The board voted on its intent to accept the ACG bid for an athletic stadium/school improvement project, if the bond passes, at a total $1,883,155, including the base bid and several options.
A second bid for the school district-wide design and building facility improvement project was rejected. The project will be modified and rebid.
A proposal to add wrestling to the school sport lineup was tabled until the full board is present. All but one of the other schools in the new conference has wrestling. The cost of adding a wrestling program is estimated at about $40,000.
elementary School Principal Daniel Williams reported the enrollment is 595. He also commented on reaching the halfway point of the school year. The recipical teaching implementation instructional strategy has had a good benefit for the students. "Our students are becoming experts on predicting, questioning and inferring," Williams said.
The elementary students donated almost 1,600 canned food items to the local food pantry. The food pantry drive was sponsored by the local Pizza Hut which will provide a pizza party for the first grade class of Gwendolyn Hendrickson for providing the most cans - 127.
Music teacher Stacy Friedrich is preparing three musicals to be held during January.
Middle School Principal Matt Abernathy reported the middle school choir traveled to State Fair Community College Dec. 5 to join with other schools in an on-stage performance. The choir also performed at the CHS auditorium on Dec. 9.
High School Principal Mike Hight reported 418 students enrolled. it was reported that Craig Ash has filed for the upcoming school board election.
The next regular monthly meeting will be Jan. 22.