Trenton R-9 Board of Education has approved a baseball field user agreement for two years; and a summer school contract for three years.
For use of the Burleigh Grimes baseball field, Trenton R-9 will pay $200 per day, on game days only, to the Trenton Park Department which includes a one-time field preparation and rental. Eight baseball games are planned at home next spring. There will be no charge when Grimes is used for practices.
After a review of the financially-successful summer school which had an average daily attendance of 246 pupils, the R-9 board approved a contract with the same company, Catapult Learning, for summers of 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Trenton R-9 received gross revenues from the state of more than $281,000. Of that amount, payments were made to Catapult, staff payroll and supplies leaving a profit of 70-thousand, 200 dollars. Superintendent Dan Wiebers described it as the most revenues derived from summer school since 2008.
The board also reviewed academic gains made by third through eighth-grade students in math (44%) and communication arts. (36%) Among survey results, 90% of the parents would recommend summer school. 85% of the teachers participating called Summer school a positive experience.
The new contract, which continues a 24-day class schedule, keeps the average daily student attendance rate at $525 per student.
Newton Alliance, which owns Catapult Learning, will continue to cover the cost of enrollment materials, curriculum and teaching materials, gift cards for student attendance, and the bus transportation costs. Trenton R-9 will still be responsible for staff salary and benefits plus provide breakfast and lunch.
Amy Currie received approval to apply for a $600 GEC Foundation grant to purchase Spanish books and games. MSBA policy updates were approved to keep the district compliant with new laws pertaining to bullying and cyberbullying, hazing, harassment, and student discipline.
Nine students were recognized, three per building, for having artwork selected for display on the walls of the board room at the R-9 district office.
Rissler School Principal Jenny Boon reported a PTO fund-raiser netted $9,500 for the organization. A one-night promotion recently at Trenton McDonalds raised approximately $500 for Rissler School.
Kristi Davis presented evaluations of the R-9 special education and testing programs. She noted 200 special education students this year with no drop outs during last year in the Trenton school district.
