The USD 383 board of education is in the beginning stages of doing some very important planning for the future, and they are looking to hire a partner to help. At last night’s board meeting, assistant superintendent Eric Reid talked about the various long range facilities planning proposals the board has received.
The board met alongside the facilities planning committee a week ago to review eight different applications from various firms, and Reid compiled the rankings and opinions of the board members. He said the three most favored companies BG Consultants, Gould Evans, and Ebert Mayo. The board agreed to invite these three companies (along with BBN Architects, Inc.) to upcoming meetings. The four different firms will present their plans to the board. President Marcia Rozell said she would like to have a firm selected by mid-September.
The district also heard the annual report on food services from Stephanie Smith, director of food services. Smith told board members about new healthy eating initiatives in Manhattan-Ogden schools. Northview and Ogden elementary schools both take advantage of federal program that gives children an extra serving of fruits and vegetables every day. Faust noted USD 383 has one of the few food service programs in the state that is entirely self-sustained.
In public comments, the board heard from Jessica Kerr. Kerr is a Manhattan resident who addressed the board about her disapproval of the indian mascot at Manhattan High. Kerr formerly taught disadvantaged children in Chicago public schools, and said negative stereotypes can have a lasting impact on children. The board will discuss the mascot issue this fall.
