Suring School Budget Hearing, Annual Meeting on Oct. 24

The Suring School District Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing  will be held Monday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. in the library.
At its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 12, the Board of Education discussed removing the close contact quarantine requirements from the school’s COVID policy, and a bit later in the meeting they adopted a revised COVID policy as presented.
The board also voted to approve dual sports participation through the end of the 2022-2023 spring sports’ season and then end the pilot dual sports program, a decision which had been favored by coaches.
Earlier in the meeting Mitch Woulf, who teaches Social Studies and coaches girls’ basketball and baseball, and Athletic Director Heidi Gerndt had spoken to the board about the pros and cons of dual sports participation, and in his superintendent’s report, Dr. Paul Orlich had shared feedback from all varsity coaching staff regarding the dual sports pilot program. He said a majority of them felt that the pilot program should be ended at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 spring sports season.
Board members present were Cathy Lundgren, Dennis Piepkorn, Gary Regal, Amanda Seibert, Rhonda Stuart, Wendy Wozniak and Board  President David Lally.
In his report, Dr. Orlich also shared information regarding a staff “Climate and Culture” survey facilitated by CESA 8. He said CESA 8 will share the results directly with the board after completion.
In his principal’s report, Mr. Beeksma reported Parent-Teacher conferences the previous week were very well attended. He informed the Board that Meagan Keplinger, the school Social Worker, is organizing the Community Closet and is distributing items to those in need, and the after school program has 63 students enrolled.
Gerndt informed the Board that the district is still looking for Junior High girls basketball, wresting and track coaches.
The board approved purchase of two vans from Dorsch Ford with the price not to exceed $58,440 for each; approved contracting with Thomson Excavating to raze the building on Main Street for not more than $7,500; approve the front entrance improvements to be done by Sommers Construction Company, Inc. for a not to exceed price of $25,060; to approve the HVAC charges from SES Group, Inc. not to exceed $28,296, with Piepkorn abstaining; approved the snow plow bid as presented, with Regal abstaining; and approved the 2022-23 committee meeting schedule for 2022-2023 as presented.
After other business was completed the board went into closed session for a little over an hour. After returning to open session they voted without dissent in favor of motions to approve an increase in compensation for Amy Hermsen as presented; an increase the pay rate for custodial and food service substitutes as presented; extend a coaching contract for the position of 7th grade boys basketball coach for the 2022-23 school year to Mitch Taylor; extend a coaching contract for the position of 8th grade boys basketball coach for the 2022-23 school year to Heidi Gerndt, and extend a coaching contract for the position of JV boys basketball coach for the 2022-23 school year to Paul Thomson.
The next regular board meeting will be on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. in Board Room #300. Items for future Board consideration include the nursing contract, compensation for van drivers and a school Resource Officer.