The introduction of new staff and discussion on the district's health standards were among items on the agenda when the Wayne Community Schools met on Monday.
New faces in the district include:
Abby Wragge, school nurse; Kay Morris, High School English; Nick Curnyn, Junior High Math; Sarah Oltjenbruns, Elementary Librarian/Media; Christiana Koeppe, Elementary Music; Samantha Novak, Sixth Grade Teacher; Aaron Carlson, Elementary Physical Education.
Prior to the start of the regular meeting, the board held a public hearing on the district's American Civics practices at the school.
Wayne Superintendent Dr. Mark Lenihan explained to the board that the school is required to follow state statues in regard to civics instruction in the school. He explained what the district does throughout the school year in regard to promoting Americanism. These include such things as the district-wide Veterans' Day observance and providing patriotic music for the Memorial Day program.
Dr. Lenihan also presented information to the board and the public on the district's health standards.
He said the standards are up for review this school year and any changes that would be made would not take effect until the 2022-2023 school year.
He noted that the district is able to follow a health curriculum specific to the district.
"I think our standards are appropriate and solid. We can adopt what we want from the new state health standards when they go effect and make them right for our kids," Dr. Lenihan said.
Scott Sievers spoke to the board and said that he had talked to a number of parents over the summer who had concerns and were confused about the information they had heard. He said the parents want to know the board's and district's opinions on the proposal.
Dr. Lenihan encouraged anyone with questions or comments about the issue to contact the school for more information.
Also on the agenda during Monday's meeting was the second reading of the 2021-2022 Classified Staff Handbook. Updates to the document include the ability for classified staff to accrue sick leave. Dr. Lenihan said he felt this change would help staff feel more appreciated by the district.
An ESSER III Funding Survey update was given. A total of 162 responses were received indicating areas the respondents felt needed to be addressed. The survey is necessary to receive federal funds that can be used in a variety of ways to improve education for the district's students. Among those discussed were upgrades to the heating and cooling system and providing additional mental health services.
An interlocal agreement with Wayne State College was approved.
It allows Wayne Community Schools the ability to use nearly all of Wayne State's facilities at a cost to the district of $20,000 for the coming school year.
This is a decrease of $10,000 from what the district had been paying. It also adds the ability to use the Wayne State College library by students at Wayne High School for various research projects.
An update was given on the restroom renovation project at the junior-senior high school.
A punch-list has been created on items still needing to be addressed, but overall, both Dr. Lenihan and Jordan Widner, head of maintenance, were pleased with the way the project turn out.
"We got lucky and all the materials we ordered with the exception of some doors got delivered. I have heard that other schools have delays until September," Widner said.
The Wayne Community Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. to review end-of-year claims. The next regular meeting will be Monday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. at the junior-senior high school.
