Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva school board opened their Monday meeting at 5 p.m. and immediately went into executive session to discuss the superintendent's evaluation. Since most evaluations don't occur until after the first of the year, the motion to return to open session made it appear the session was mainly a discussion about the evaluation method to be used.

On the agenda, the first item after the 42-minute executive session was "Addition of new items to the agenda." Superintendent Steve Parkhurst said he had nothing to add, but board member Lynda Martin spoke up and said, "I wish to add my resignation, effective immediately." She got up and walked out. Board President Steve Ellis had in his possession a letter of resignation from Martin, which consisted of about two lines: one announcing her resignation and the second sentence saying that she enjoyed serving the students of the district.

The visitors to the meeting, which included several from the Teacher Cadet Club, were instructed to leave the meeting until the executive session was over. They spent their time around a table in the front office, with their sponsor, Halah Simon, asking on behalf of the students various questions of Lincoln Principal Tim Argo about teacher evaluations.

Superintendent Parkhurst gave a partial financial report saying that not all the financial documents were available. He did say that the district was up in revenue $771,127.96 for a total operating budget of $16.9 million. The Alva district has enough revenue from the healthy ad valor-em tax in the county that the district is "off of the state aid formula." Also since Oct. 1 is the date where the enrollment of all districts is collected by the state, the Alva district is down only two students, from 1015 last year to 1013 this year.

The superintendent reported that Debra Fink is going to retire. She serves in two elementary schools. Tim Argo praised the leadership of Lincoln Teacher Paul Hamilton for his leadership in handling the math-a-thon, which raised $14,000. The money is used to allow all Lincoln students to participate in various events, regardless of family income.

Argo and instructor Sherrye Lovelace reported on a new student evaluation system they are adopting at Lincoln School. It is called the Lexile level or a Lexile measure. A Lexile measure is a tool for teachers, parents and students. It serves two unique functions: it is a measure of how difficult the text in a book is and also the student's reading ability level.

Parkhurst said the Alva High School band won first place in the NWOSU parade marching contest. He praised Mrs. Bradt for doing an outstanding job.

The board voted to tell the State Department of Education they wish to use the "hours" method instead of the "days" method of computing the school year. Jane McDermott expressed concern that since the teacher contract speaks in the "days" terminology, this could cause problems at the end of a school year. Parkhurst said the hours method gives the district more flexibility if snow days are used.

A student organization previously know as SWAT has changed its name to H2O (meaning Help to Others) and needed changes in the activity account names. Also, the board approved the standard expenditure list students may use funds for.

Parkhurst said "new gymnasium" bleacher repairs are needed. The collapsible bleachers are not rolling well and the firm that made them is out of business. He said he has received estimates as high was $30,000 for repairs and would like to search around for a better price. The board was stunned to be told the "new gym" had been there 15 years.

Tim Argo reported there were no significant changes in the Gifted Educational Plan for 2016-17 and approval was given by the board.

The board puzzled over a problem with a $10,000 gift from the Football Booster Club to pay extra salary to football coaches, contradicting current school practice. The board tabled the matter. The board doesn't want outside organizations directing school policy or use of school funds. Also, they did not want the district liable for payroll taxes on this extra pay.

The Football Booster Club is attempting to gain 501c(3) status, which means they can expend their funds in any way they see fit and it would not go through school bookkeeping. Part of the donation goal was to help pay coaches for summer football camps so that individual students didn't have to come up with funds to participate. The board took no action on refunding the donation until the 501C(3) issue is settled.

No other principal, other than Tim Argo, was present. Brief written reports were read about activities at the other sites.