School board member Jerry Gillman served his last meeting Thursday, Dec. 18. During the meeting, Superintendent Scott Thielman presented Gillman with an engraved school bell. Gillman has served on the board since 1995, and acted as the chair, vice chair and director. He has also served on many committees including transportation, negotiations, and Benton-Stearns. “Personally, I want to thank you,” Thielman sai d. “You have made a very good impression of this community. Everywhere I go you are held in high regard.” School board chair Dorothy Kersten added, “Thank you Jerry, it has been a pleasure serving with you. You are really going to be missed.” The board honored Gillman with a special celebration after the meeting. In other action, the board: • Set the calendar for the 2004-05 school year. School will begin Sept. 1, which is the allowed start date by the state. Students will have a three day weekend over the Labor Day holiday. • Celebrated students and staff. Kimball Area High School (KAHS) was recognized for its successful food drive which brought in 2,349 items. Kimball Elementary School (KES) students of the month were honored. KES principal Jon Clark commended the community for its involvement in the Dec. 2 Knowledge Bowl. The band was praised for its holiday concert, and Cole Loewen was recognized for being in the St. Cloud Times student spotlight. • Were briefed by KAHS principal Karen Imholte. She said Mr. Bahn applied for a calculator grant and received $300. • Reviewed Kimball Public Schools (KPS) graduation standards. The board read the policy for the first time and will vote on it at their next meeting. KPS must comply with the state standards, so a few of the requirements needed to be adjusted. Kimball also requires more credits than the state. “You need 21.5 credits by state standards,” Thielman said. “We require 23.5; there is a credit in business, .5 in health, a credit in vocational studies and a credit in gym.” Thielman added that in the set school day, a student could take up to 28 credits. The set standards allow students to have options for study halls. Board member Jerome Kuechle questioned if this was a good idea. Gillman responded, “I think having a broad base curriculum is good for kids.” He added “By us having higher standards, students have a better idea of where they want to go in life.” Kuechle said, “I am not saying it (higher requirements) is bad, I am just worried about those kids on the bottom half.” Gillman said, “If you lower the expectation, the students will [lower results].” The board will continue this discussion at their next meeting during their second reading of the policy. The board doesn’t take action on any policy during the first reading. • Heard from KES principal Jon Clark. He told the board the elementary school hosted a successful concert, basketball game and knowledge bowl event. He said the school practiced its code red policy. He also said the school received walkie-talkies from Sportsman’s Warehouse. He said these will be used to help keep students safe by opening lines of communication. • Heard from Imholte. She informed the board that the high school was starting the basketball and wrestling seasons. She also noted the athletes seemed please with the new coaches. • Heard from Thielman that the community had its first Initative Coalition meeting. The group includes 19 community representatives and will look at ways to improve or create opportunities for children birth-5. The coalition was awarded $15,000 from the Initative Foundation to help fund their ideas. • Accepted the Superintendent’s contract. • Adjourned the meeting at 9:33 p.m.
