Cornell School Board - Who better to draft a district vision, than its students?

By Ginna Young

The Cornell School District is in need of a revamp of its mission and vision statement, so, with that in mind and a few students up for business management internships, it could be a good fit for all concerned. Superintendent Paul Schley brought up the matter Jan. 22, at the board of education meeting, for the go ahead to see if one of those students wants to develop a mission/vision statement for the district.

“Because, as business managers in the future, that might be something they have to do,” said Schley, to which the board members wholeheartedly agreed to the idea. “It’d be a good, real-life experience.”

Schley also suggested that the students could do a survey, to see if there’s enough interest in starting a soccer team.

“As football declines across a lot of communities, soccer’s getting bigger,” said Schley.

Esports, which is a form of competition, using video games, was another area Schley thought the interns could look into. Esports often takes the form of organized, multi-player video game competitions.

The business interns would do research and viability on the idea, before bringing their findings to the board to approve or disapprove.

“It wouldn’t be bad for kids to have another thing to do, if there’s interest,” said Schley.

Kari Koenig, at-risk/mental health coordinator, also shared what grants have been received for needs within the elementary school: $250 for new speech curriculum; $731 decodable books for second grade; $250, for a second-grade baby chick incubator; $2,500, for sensory and classroom items/tool kits; and $1,000, for books with audio players, for students whose parents don’t have the opportunity to read to them.

Koenig is also working on getting an on-site therapist for the school.

“It’s no cost to the district,” she said. Middle/high school principal Craig Braaten also had good news to report, as the $60,000 Department of Justice Grant they received (with the district responsible for a $20,000 match), will see cameras installed in the school buses and new door locks in the buildings.

Student Council also had some news, although a project is barely off the ground – collecting pop can tabs, as a friendly competition between the classes at the high school.

It’s kind of in its baby stage,” said Student Council representative Karl Wescott. During the meeting, board members approved the resignation of 4K teacher Taylor Hand, effective at the end of the school year.

Thank you for the experience this position has given me and for allowing me to be a part of your staff, wrote Hand.