Lake Holcombe School Board/Annual Meeting - Preliminary scores show progress

Tom Hayden (left) and Joy Webster were present as members of the public, instead of staff, Oct. 28, for the annual Lake Holcombe School meeting. Webster made a motion to raise board members’ salaries, which was supported by Hayden. Photo by Joy Dain

By Ginna Young

Although they won’t be released until later in November, the report card scores for Lake Holcombe School, should be exactly what the staff and administration have hoped for. At the regular school board meeting, Oct. 28, district administrator Kurt Lindau shared that the scores are up again this year, across the board, meaning Lake Holcombe is moving in the right direction.

A few years ago, an initiative was started to address the concerning scores, called Plan to Win, in which staff collaborates to not only help the students achieve, but to help each other as educators, as well.

“Our Plan to Win is working,” said Lindau. “It takes time and it takes a lot of hard work.”

Lindau also reported that he is working on a grant to get digital mapping of the school building.

“Digital mapping will allow police and fire to be able to, in real time, log in…here’s the door you need to enter, here’s the hallway you need to go down,” he said.

During the meeting, the board approved the resignation of Nicole Kuc, as the assistant girls basketball coach, as well as accepting $750, from the Lake Holcombe Lions Club, for Jack Repka’s fishing contest donation to the school.

In the annual meeting, which took place prior to the regular meeting, Lindau shared that the district will need to hold an operational referendum again this spring. The funds from the voter-approved exceeded levy, allow the district to replace roofs and gym floors, and not put off the projects until they “pile up.”

“It’s that and it’s the ability to maintain existing programs and staff,” said Lindau.

This year’s levy was set at $4,063,283, with a mill rate of $5.25, per $100,000 of assessed value.

It was also agreed to raise the school board’s salary, to be more in line with neighboring districts. Approved, was $2,400, per year, for president and clerk; $2,200 for vice president and treasurer; and $2,000 for member.

“I would say we’re probably due an adjustment,” said Lindau.