Gilman board receives update on safety drill

EMILY GOJMERAC

REPORTER

Monday night, Gilman school board came together to talk about the safety of their children and how important it is to keep parents and students up to date on safety measures.

Students and teachers were informed beforehand of how the drill was going to happen, so the students wouldn’t be so scared when it came time to do the drill. Students were able to go through the halls and to their designated areas, so they know what to do if an emergency were to happen. An evacuation drill was also performed. Students got to put in their opinions of what they liked about the drill, and what things could get changed.

Parents were informed that the drill was going to take place during the week of the 13th.

There was a concern about the Taylor County K-9 unit, who was in the halls during the drill. It was said that the dog was scaring kids. Gilman Police Chief Tom Tallier told board members that the students were only scared because the dog was barking a lot. He assured the board that because the dog is so young, and was so excited, he began to bark a lot. K-9 officers are not trained to bark if they find something in a locker, they are trained to sit silently in front of the suspected locker.

Referendum

Gilman School board members are asking voters to approve an additional multi-year authorization to exceed the revenue limit.

Throughout the previous authorization, the district has worked to improve efficiencies and reduce expenses to taxpayers. Under the referendum, the district is asking voters to approve $700,000 for the 2022-2023 school year. District administrator Walter Leipart explained this would have a projected school tax rate for the district next year of $10.12 per $1,000 of equalized value. This is 5% decrease in local property taxes from last year.

The referendum will appear on the April ballot. In other business: A $5,000 agriculture grant from River Country Cooperative was received and the school district will use that money to buy a hydroponic growing system, so that the students can have fresh leafy vegetables all year round. Christmas programs for the elementary and middle school students went well. Consideration of having programs during the day next year was addressed.

Talk has started of giving the high schoolers an open campus option. iPad training has been given to teachers to teach them new applications.

A new firewall had to be installed on the computer’s server due to several problems in the past.

The start of the carpet replacement will happen over Christmas break, while the remainder of the project will remain until the summer vacation.

Covid-19 numbers have been at a steady 25-30 people. This is a great improvement compared to the beginning of the school year.

Vikki Neunan will be the new girls junior high basketball coach.

Lunch prices will be increased to $4.65 for adult meals.

School report cards show that the students progress meets expectations for the state requirement.