Orchard Discusses Building Improvements

The Orchard Advisory Board met Monday to discuss a few updates to the school and a separation of accounts between Clearwater and Orchard.

Updates to the school will be done just in time for school to start, but other projects might take a little longer. On the South side of the building, 23 windows are being replaced to keep up-to-date with safety standards.

The board also mentioned a problem with leakage in the Art room. A final bid of the cost for repairs was not yet given, but would be available as soon as possible to vote on. Repairs to the scoreboard by the football field were also in great need. Cathy Cooper, principal, said that lightening struck the scoreboard revealing that a new scoreboard would have to replace it. Daktronics of Sioux City offered a temporary scoreboard in place until a new one could be installed. However, the board did not know how much insurance would cover.

Tami Kuhfal, a sixth grade teacher, offered a fun presentation to the board with sphero’s. Sphero’s are similar to robots that can do many things with certain programing. They offer fun lessons to children in the classroom that teaches problem solving and many other STEM learning skills. The class received grants to buy the Sphero’s and use them for lots of activities in the classroom.

“It’s just amazing how we’ve been able to use them,” said Kuhfal.

A recommendation to the unified board on a new building fund levy was also unanimously approved. The Orchard board voted to move the two and a half cent levy back down to two.

Another item on the agenda included discussion on continuing the Football Co-op with Clearwater. The deadline is November 1st to make final decisions on continuing the Co-op. The board asked football coach Jeff Shabram if this is what he wanted who returned a nod to the board. It was unanimously voted to continue the Cyclone Football Co-op for another two years with Clearwater.

Discussion to separate joint accounts between Clearwater and Orchard was also discussed. All athletic and extracurricular funds will remain together. The O-C concession stand money will be split 50 percent athletics, 25 percent Orchard and 25 percent Clearwater. All other accounts will be split by half for each school.

The Orchard board will have a special meeting to finalize decisions on the Art room and scoreboard. A date will be set later for the special meeting. The next board meeting will be September 4 at 7 p.m.