Superintendent, Troy Unzicker has formed an advisory council for the Kimball schools, comprised of students, staff, parents, patrons, and administration.

This council first met in October, in it’s respective groups to answer four questions. Unzicker chose to ask the questions to each group individually in hopes that they would feel more comfortable. He was surprised to see many of the answers were echoed in two or more groups.

What do you like about the district?

The group of students answered that there was a safe environment; ala cart food is offered; and parental involvement is encouraged.

Staff at the schools echoed the safe environment and the involvement of parents/community. They also added that facilities are decent, with good para involvement and good staff.

Staff appreciates the smaller class sizes, and that teachers go beyond teaching. They enjoy the use of the facilities, the broad offerings and extra-curricular activities. They also said that all employees help, including the great support staff. Other things listed were all call and on-line grading.

The parent/patron group agreed with the staff about the class size being preferable and also enjoy the all call. They added smartboards, cross town bus, snack time, academic incentives, and the teammates program as benefits. Parents also like that  Jr. high athletes practice during the last period of the day.

Administrators like the textbooks and technology available to them, and the school’s participation in the community. They agree that the facilities are nice and enjoy the use of them. They also agree the cross town buses are a benefit to the community. Administration feels they keep staff informed, and put the students needs first.

What do you want to change or eliminate in the district?

Students answered they would like to add a softball program and increase jr. high involvement. Other changes they offered were fixing the football field lights, lockers, snack time, and silent sustained reading (SSR).

The participating staff suggested flexible scheduling, and scheduling sooner before requisition. They would like to add more tech programs, increase positive parental involvement and increase student motivation. They expressed the need for consistent rules and expectations from kindergarten through 12.

The group of parents and patrons would like to change high school sports at 4:00 practice. They would like to see enforcement of the dress code and bully policy. Parents and patrons also said that volunteering isn’t encouraged, and parent expectations should change. This group also would like to see changes made to PTO, testing, truancy, the music program and channel 1.

Administration would eliminate poor attitudes and change community expectations. They would add air conditioning, windows, lights,  fix the bleachers. Administration would also consider year round school, and make changes regarding substitutes and pay.

#3 If money were no object what would you spend it on?

Trips, weight room equipment, and catered lunches topped the list for students. They also would like air conditioning, new computers in the library, more calculators, and working football field lights.

The staff would spend extra funds on parent involvement, after school programs, an elementary art teacher, vocational programs, improvements to the facilities, increasing technology. Staff would also hire more staff, especially para-professionals. They would offer better pay and benefits, and an increase in base salary.

A gifted program, an indoor pool, and a walking track for community use would please the parents and patrons group. Half-price tuition for college courses was suggested as well.

Administration focused on replacing and repairing heating, ac, windows, lights, and bleachers. Possibly  upgrading the video system and updating the kitchen equipment as well as adding a video monitoring system to the buses. Administration would hire a high school PE teacher, a math teacher, and a grant writer. They would also work on professional development, test and study skills and raising salaries across the board.

#4 If money is short where would you cut?

Students made just one suggestion- keyboarding.

Staff was a little more forthcoming. They suggest that students bring their own calculators and pay a sport fee. Staff would cut the supply list, ask teachers to clean their own rooms and take care of what we have. They suggest that staff contract to work games, and increase fund-raising.

Parents and patrons suggest parents volunteer for para duties with a PTA to fill in the gaps. They see food leftovers as a waste; would like to see tighter budget rules; and suggest student activation projects.

Cutting sports, closing West Elementary, and going to a four-day week are all extreme measures that the administration came up with. They might suggest a cut in Curriculum and Assessment; have everyone bring their own calculators; assess student fees, and limit or cut travel.

Unzicker was quick to point out that these were all of the ideas that were thrown out at the first meeting. They are NOT a consensus, but rather the product of brainstorming sessions.

At the second advisory council meeting the answers to these questions were revisited and discussed. Unzicker reported that not many were in attendance, but the participation from the group was great.

Some ideas that came out of the meeting included:

1. Have a negotiations committee meet early to get an overview of the budget.

2. Have an open house setting for parents to help them understand how to help their child with academics.

3. A need for mentors and aides at West Elementary.

There was also discussion to consider on scheduling, enforcement of the dress code (student and staff), enforcement of the bullying policy, school uniforms, and selling advertising.

“I felt there was great discussion and hope more can attend the next forum,” Unzicker said.

The current plan is to hold off on meeting again until probably January unless more information from the legislature becomes available.