Updates on student achievements, building projects shared
I hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving with family and that hunters enjoyed success. The school year seems to be moving very quickly, with the Christmas holidays just three short weeks away. Just before Thanksgiving, we finished trimester one and this week trimester two started. I would like to thank the entire staff of the district for everything they do for our students and families. They go above and beyond the call of duty and this is greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to the Greenwood-Loyal One Act Play on an amazing performance of “The Last Illusion” at the state competition. The play received several awards: Ensemble Award, Technical Award, Best Director and the top award, Critic’s Choice. Also, three top actor awards were given to Arianna Lettera, Jonah Vircks and Jaren Cullen.
Also, congratulations to Isaac Jakobi for placing second at the National FFA Convention for his ag services proficiency.
The outdoor concession stand slab has been poured with in-floor heat. The goal is to have the carpentry class get the walls up soon, weather permitting. The walls have already been built by the construction class last spring. The goal is to have the shell up in December.
The old blacktop by the greenhouse area has been removed and the district is working with Bugar Trucking on a plan to get black dirt hauled in and leveled off within the next month or two. The blacktop was a safety concern because it was broken up and the decision was made to remove it and make it into lawn.
The boilers that have been overhauled are up and running smoothly. With the update, there is considerable savings with gas usage and water consumption.
The educational team, which is comprised of district staff for the strategic planning process, has been selected and will start working with Nexus Solutions on developing the district’s strategic plan. The committee’s first meeting is Dec. 4 at 3:30 p.m. The task force committee, which includes community members and the educational team, will have their first meeting on Jan. 8 starting with a light supper at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting starting at 6 p.m. I am excited about this process, working with these two committees to lay out the district’s future for the next three to five years.
The state report cards have been released, and the School District of Loyal and all three schools fall under the category of “meets expectations.”
As the district continues to collaborate with Greenwood in many different areas, there have been joint board meetings talking about a potential consolidation between the two districts. At the last joint meeting, Elise Murn from Baird Financial, presented on the financial feasibility study of a scenario that would include a consolidated district with keeping both districts running similar to how they are now and looking at what cost savings there would be. Elise also discussed that these two districts are a very good match for consolidation because neither have debt, the mill rates are very close, both are in good financial standings and their proximity is very close. She continued by saying there are many different scenarios that could be looked at in determining locations of different schools or building new.
I know this is early, but Christmas will be here before you know it, so on behalf of the School District of Loyal, I would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Please enjoy the time together with family and friends.
Happy holidays!
