At the May Chilton School District Board Meeting, Superintendent Dr. Claire Martin shared information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which deals with Federal stimulus funding that is coming to school districts.

Martin said that the Chilton School District would see an additional $80,000 in Title 1 funding over the next two-year period on top of the $176,000 in regular funding expected for the 2009-10 school year that is primarily used to pay Title 1 teacher salaries.  Martin said there would also be close to $280,000 in additional funding for special education programs in the District over the next 2-year period.  Martin noted that the stimulus funding has to be used according to Federal guidelines and must be spent by June 30th, 2011.               

    Martin also briefly covered the recently completed county-wide pandemic flu plan, which the Department of Public Instruction requires each district to have.  Martin said that the superintendents from Calumet County got together and created the flu plan, which provides details for how staff will respond in the case of an outbreak.   

    Mr. Scott Bruckner provided the Board with an overview of the newly formed Chilton Booster Club (CBC) along with a copy of the By-laws.  Vice President Mike Barany and Secretary Bonnie Mortimer joined Bruckner, who is the CBC President; Treasurer Laura Meyer was not present.  Bruckner said that the Booster Club is the result of conversations that Tammy Pethan has had with District Administrators and     Athletic Director Dave Sonnabend, which indicated support for such an organization to be run apart from the District.  

    Bruckner said, “The Club is a not-for-profit organization made up of parents and community members intending to provide financial assistance to the Chilton School District athletic programs for boys and girls, seventh through twelfth grades, including cheer and dance.”

    Bruckner said the CBC plans to provide funds to purchase safety and athletic equipment that the District budget cannot address, and volunteer man-hours at athletic events.  Bruckner said the CBC still has to nominate and elect a Board of Directors, file necessary paperwork with the government, and prepare for fundraising activities.    

    Bruckner addressed concerns that the new CBC could overshadow existing single-sport clubs saying that there was no intention to absorb them into the Booster Club.

    Mrs. Melissa Sosa addressed the Board with a proposal for a District-wide School Garden that she and Mrs. Sara VanderPas have been working on.  Sosa gave the Board several reasons for the proposed garden including that it will enhance curriculum, help students learn the role of healthy food choices, provide fresh vegetables for the school lunch program, and make students feel proud to grow something on their own.

    Sosa admitted that site selection was the biggest issue before them, with soil quality a chief concern.  Board President Paul Meier requested that Sosa meet with Head of Maintenance Dan Kopf and choose a site, so that the Board can know the location before approving the proposal.  Sosa said the first School Garden meeting will be held on May 28th at 3:15 p.m. in Room 109 at the Middle School.

    Sixth-grader Jerad Geiser demonstrated the “Hovercraft” that he built after he completed reading the 100 science books assigned in Mr. Greg Sromek’s class ahead of time and needed something else to do.  Geiser thanked Mr. Sromek for allowing him to do the project, which he found on the internet and built with a variety of materials including a shower curtain, a car battery, a leaf blower, and “lots of duct tape.”  Geiser said he also demonstrated the Hovercraft at the Science Expo in Menasha and gave rides to little kids.    

    Middle School Principal Rich Appel reminded those present that the 5th-8th grade Band Concert will take place May 28th at 6:30 p.m., and the Vocal Concert will start at 7:30 p.m.

Appel added that the 5th-8th grade Recognition and Awards Program will take place from 1:00-3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 31st, and the Middle School Art Show and Book Fair will be held from 12:00-4:00 p.m. on the same day.

    Meier gave a reminder that Senior Commencement is Sunday, June 7th at 1:00 p.m. in the High School gym.  High School Principal Dr. Tim Schaid announced that Kayla Dix and Michael Van Horn were Co-valedictorians while Maria Meyer was Salutatorian for the Class of 2009.   

    Elementary School Principal Pam Schuster reminded those present about the 11:30 a.m. early dismissal on the last day of school.  

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