School installs new security system
“As with everything, there was a bit of a learning curve.”
Staff writer
School board members completed a walk-through tour of Peabody-Burns Elementary School, including anew keyless entry system, before their meeting Sept. 14. The tour was followed in the central office by a sampling of screens showing new security camera views of both buildings.
“Most of the ‘bugs’ have been worked out and we are ready to put this system to work,” Superintendent Ron Traxson said. “We have several new things in place this year that have been a bit of a challenge, but they are coming around.”
It was discovered, shortly after school started that the new lunch program — from a food service provider, rather than a staff hired and employed by the school district — was popular with students and staff alike.
“However, it has been a little challenging,” Traxson said. “It took a little time to get everyone on the same page about ordering the meal choice they want and then sticking with it at lunch time.
“As with everything, there was a bit of a learning curve,” he added. “But we’re getting there.”
In another area, Traxson was pleased to have been able to hire Roger Erickson, a retired school councilor, to fill the position left open at the middle school/high school late in the summer. Erickson will be in the building four days a week.
“He has already established himself with some of the students and I have been impressed with his efforts,” Traxson said.
In other business:
- Traxson told the board that budget comparisons show the district at roughly the same place it was this time last year. “We will be monitoring this all year,” he said. “It will be vital to our five-year plan for staying ahead of infrastructure and maintenance issues.”
- Traxson said he thought the enrollment would stay close to 240 students. The state’s official headcount date was Sept. 20. The number of students attending USD #398 that day provides the official enrollment numbers that determine state aid. He also noted that the district has more boys than girls, 65 percent to 35 percent. “I’m not sure that means anything, it is just a new statistic that has popped up,” he said.
Last modified Sept. 21, 2016