By Clara Osten,
clara@wayneherald.com
Students at Wayne Community Schools (and their parents) now officially know the last days of the 2021-2022 school year.
During Monday's meeting of the Board of Education the board approved Thursday, May 12 as the last day of school for those in kindergarten through 11th grade. The senior class will finish on Thursday, May 5.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan told the board that due to school starting earlier in August and the fact that there were no snow days, the students have completed the required number of days and more than the number of instructional hours needed.
Due to scheduling conflicts, graduation for the preschool students will be Thursday, April 28 at the high school Lecture Hall. The final day for the preschool students will be Wednesday, May 4.
Graduation ceremonies for the seniors in the class of 2022 will be held Saturday, May 14 in the high school gym at 2 p.m.
Misty Beair, Special Educaton/Early Learning Center Director, presented information to the board on the district's English Language (EL) program.
She said there are 20 EL students in the high school; 10 in the junior high; 54 at the elementary school and four at the Early Learning Center.
Beair explained the structure of the program, noting that she conducts home visits for all new comers to the district, and how students qualify for the services provided.
"Some of the students in our program have never been in an educational system before and among other things, we work to increase their grammar and communication skills," Beair said.
The District's Comprehensive Long Range Strategic Plan was approved by the board.
Dr. Lenihan noted that the district's vision statement will remain the same, "Learning for Life, Every Student, Every Day" and the mission state will be "Wayne Community Schools is committed to the success of all students and the development of independent lifelong learners."
He said the administrators will go through the plan this summer and bring back information for board approval.
He noted that during the community meetings held earlier this year, district resources were listed as a high priority, followed by student/staff well-being.
A letter of agreement with Carlson West Povondra Architects (CWPA) for a bond study was approved. The fee for the study will be $7,500. The scope of work and possible time frame were discussed.
A bid of $219,400 from OCC Builders, LLC for the Elementary Locker Room HVAC project was approved.
The work can be done when school is in session and it is anticipated that this will take place during the fall of 2022. The district will use ESSER III funds to pay for the project.
Also approved was a bid from Heartland Seating for bleachers in the elementary school. The new bleachers will be ADA accessible and allow for more seating. Funding for this project will come, in part from the Wayne Community Schools Foundation. Additional sources may contribute to the cost and the remaining portion will be paid for with building funds. It is anticipated that the bleachers will be installed during Christmas break.
Other items approved during Monday's meeting were the directors' salaries, the classified staff salary schedule and the 2022-2023 Non-Certificated Staff Handbook.
The board accepted the 2022 graduate list which includes 72 students. Their graduation is contingent on completion of work this semester.
First reading approval was given to the 7-12 Student Handbook for 2022-2023 and the Kids Club Handbook for 2022-2023.
Dr. Lenihan shared information with the board on the Community Facility Committee and updated information from the March 29 community meeting. In addition, he presented information on enrollment projections for the coming year, highlighting the fact that the district is now serving 1,000 students, birth through high school.
Following the regular board meeting, the monthly Honor Coffee honored the State Speech qualifiers, Yearbook staff, junior high State Science Fair qualifiers and Early Learning Center graduates.
The Wayne Community Schools Board of Education will next meet in regular session on Monday, May 9 at 5 p.m. in the junior-senior high school library.
