Board President of the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation Sabra Jewell and Abby Fitts presented the Classroom Enrichment Grant check to the grant recipients. 

Ms. Jewell said that the foundation receives applications each year, and this year they received more than $41,000's worth of grant projects. The foundation only had $15,000 for these grants this year. The foundation board agreed to allocate an additional $8,000, bringing the total funding for Classroom Enrichment Grants to $23,000. She said that the foundation will be actively seeking donations to these grants specifically, because "saying no to your teachers is something I never want to say again."

Mr. Villeneuve and students from the Central Advocacy Club addressed the board about concerns over the leaking roof at Central High School. 

Students were:

Skyler Steeves, Jade Kiersey, Tialani Heagy, Aurana Pickett, and Mr. Villeneuve. 

Executive Director of Human Resources Brian Flannery updated the board on the effects of House Bill 2900. The bill redefines probationary periods for licensed staff, and effects some staff in Central School District. The bill does not affect contracted staff. He also talked about the difference between probationary staff and contract staff. He compared it to "tenure" in a university.

Dr. Kubista presented the data for attendance and discipline through the end of December. Attendance was up over the previous year for December. Total in- and out-of-school suspensions also were down.

Dr. Kubista went into the strategies for increasing attendance and decreasing suspensions. 

Board members expressed hope in the data, and commended staff at all levels who play such an important role in the lives of students.

Dr. Kubista told the board about efforts to make improvements on the Ash Creek Elementary School campus for baseball and softball. 

The group who wants to make the improvements is working with CYS (Central Youth Sports). The Memorandum of Understanding will be with CYS. 

The project would use natural grass, and will be a combination of softball and Little League baseball. There will be a combination of storage and batting cages, as well as concessions. 

The board asked Dr. Kubista to move forward with the MOU.

January is School Board Appreciation month. Dr. Kubista and board members took the opportunity to honor Director Steve Moser, who passed away in December. 

They mentioned Mr. Moser's dedication to students, community, and staff. His heart and commitment to the community in so many ways -- schools, Scouts, Lions, and more -- were noted and admired, and will be greatly missed. Mr. Moser's legacy lives on in his children and in all the lives he touched.

Board Chair Shinkle thanked the members of the Central Student Advocacy Club for bringing forward concerns about the facilities at the high school. He asked for more understanding about the projects that need completed understanding that the district doesn't have the funding to do all of them. 

Director Landon-Hays asked if there were any Legislative Priorities that the board can work on pursuing.