SIDNEY — An update of events at Emerson Elementary School since the beginning of the 2016-17 school year was presented during the recent Sidney City Schools Board of Education meeting.
Principal Michael Moore thanked the board for giving him the opportunity to serve as principal of the elementary school. He had previously been assistant principal at Sidney Middle School.
“the staff has kept me out of trouble during the first quarter,” said Moore. “We have an outstanding staff at the school. As I’ve done observation walk throughs, I’ve been impressed with the staff.”
Moore said since the beginning of the year, the students have observed Right to Read Week, where an author from South Carolina shared information with the students; COSI on Wheels, during which Sidney High School students were helpers; and high school students are reading books to the younger students.
“It’s nice to have the high school next door,” said Moore.
A reunion luncheon for teachers who had taught at the building was recently held. Teachers who now live in Michigan and Indiana attended the event.
Various field trips have been held for the students. Attendance at the school has approved especially in the fourth-grade where a bicycle is a reward for good attendance, said Moore.
In other business, the board:
• Heard the first reading of new/revised board policies.
• Approved an agreement with WOCO for conversion of accounting and HR data from USAS/USPS to sunGard effectie Nov. 7.
• Approved the retirement of Sheryl Hubbell, Whittier custodian, effective Oct. 31. She was with the district for almost 19 years.
• Awarded one-year contracts to Jael Wethington, cook, $11.25 per hour, effective Nov. 1; and John Kraus, custodian, $15.61 per hour, effective Nov. 8; a supplemental contract to Levi Hahn as winter strength coach, $1,094; and hired Christa Morris as a substitute bus driver at $15.17 per hour.
• Heard the Upper Valley Career Center board report from Paul Heins. He said the career center is facing a five-year forecast which is similar to Sidney’s forecast. Bill Ankney reported the center is working on the implementation of a veterinary science program at the school.
• Went into executive session to discuss evaluation of an employee. No action was taken.
The board’s next meeting will be Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. at the BOE building.
