Gilman school board approves selling surplus properties

Two parcels of land are for sale in the Gilman School district, after the Board of Education approved placing them on the market, during a meeting Sept. 21. Superintendent Wally Leipart reported that he had heard from the Taylor County Board, as three of the parcels (Taft, Cleveland, Roosevelt) have revert clauses, giving the property back to the county if they are no longer owned by the school district.

“They (county board) are receptive to working with us,” said Leipart.

The board was granted authorization by electors at the 2019 annual meeting to sell the properties. The district also owns Pershing and Jump River parcels, but they have no such clauses. It was agreed that they are not selling Roosevelt.

“That is the most ideal property for us to turn into a school forest,” said Leipart.

The Jump River property would also likely stay within the district.

“That would be one we could take a class and go plant trees or something like that,” said board president Bruce Ewings. “[We] probably wouldn’t develop it into a wayside.”

Board member Darrell Thompson pointed out that it would also be good to keep the Jump River parcel for marketable timber sales.

“At this point, I would say work with the county and proceed with it,” he said.

Through the sales, the district would deposit the money in Fund 46 and earmark it. Gilman does have a School Forest Plan and any money from sales is used to improve the forest area(s), with the goal of adding a pavilion, trail improvements and signage.

Gina Timm, treasurer, said for the time being, interest rates are the lowest they have been in quite a while, which means the properties could go quickly once on the market.

“It’s a good time to sell,” said board member Matt Chaplinski.

The board was in agreement to sell the Taft and Cleveland parcels, with the stipulation that the county board must clear the revert clause attached to the deeds. Once that approval is received, Leipart will go through a realtor and list the properties.

In other business, members approved the hire of variable hour kitchen staff, Ericka Bertsinger and Patricia Larson; eSucceed part-time administrative assistant, Kelly Hackett; and eSucceed part-time teachers in social studies, math, language arts and science, Olivia Viets and Peter Munck. They also accepted the resignation of eSucceed teacher, Scott Sabel.

Because eSucceed is rapidly growing, Leipart wanted to ensure the public understands that the virtual school is part of Gilman’s enrollment and budget.

“The difference is, is that we have partnership with six other school districts, that if it were to run a deficit, we share that cost,” said Leipart.

Based on the numbers this year, overall, 180 students are enrolled in the virtual school. Leipart says it is diffi cult to budget/project revenues and expenditures, as some students may not stay with eSucceed if things go back to “normal,” once the COVID-19 health crisis passes. He said the bottom line is that eSucceed covers its cost.

“Revenues exceed expenditures,” said Leipart.

However, the virtual school and in-person schools are having a challenge with technology.

“Technology is a back-order nationwide,” said Leipart.

Some districts are on a waiting list to receive Chromebooks until January, while Gilman hopes to get theirs yet in October.

One thing that is a constant is that the Summer Food Program has been extended until Dec. 31.

“We do have to provide those meals to individuals who are 18 or younger in our community,” said Leipart. “However, we are not delivering.”

The meals will not be handed out at the same time. Breakfast will be ready at 8:15 a.m. and lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. Parents can come to the school for curbside pick-up.

Another part of the food service program that will be utilized, is treats for birthdays and special occasions.

“Birthdays are always better with treats,” said Leipart.

Because the district is unsure of the environment homemade treats or those brought in could create in a classroom, no “outside” treats will be allowed. When there is a birthday, families can select items for the classroom from a menu through the food service program.

Principal Jon Hess said to begin the school year, Gilman had an intensive in-service, and that students and teachers have given great response to a tough situation.

“Our efforts really paid off,” he said. “Regardless of COVID or no COVID…this has been our smoothest start so far.”

“We can’t say enough how well our families are responding to this circumstance,” agreed Leipart.

The annual Homecoming celebrations will be later in October, as the district is taking one thing at a time, but Hess says they will try to make the events as memorable as possible.

“Homecoming’s going to look different than your traditional year,” said Hess.

For now, there are no active COVID-19 cases within the school. Leipart says regardless, they are not naming names or numbers, because in a small school, it’s not hard to figure out who the sick person is, which is a HIPPA violation. Instead, he will impart percentages to the public.

So, if there are confirmed cases in the school, with the county health department’s blessing, 5 percent is set at low risk; 5-10 percent is considered moderate risk; and anything above 10 percent is high risk.

“Right now, it’s low risk,” said Leipart.

In collaboration and consistency with the conferences, Hess says football athletes/coaches were given four tickets for the games for family or friends to attend. Spectators are encouraged to wear facemasks, per the governor’s mandate, but they are not required outdoors. Tickets will be colored differently for each sport.

As for volleyball, the high gym can only hold 100 spectators, so only two tickets will be issued to each student. Hess says he knows it’s a hard situation for extended family members and siblings not to see the games.

“Livestreaming options are available for most games in our conference,” said Hess.

As a reminder, the district’s annual meeting takes place Monday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m., with the location in the gym to allow for greater social distancing.

Gilman School Board member Darrell Thompson talks about the benefits of placing two properties owned by the district on the market, at a regular meeting Sept. 21.GINNA YOUNG/THE STAR NEWS

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