At last week’s Minnewaska Area School board meeting, the official approval from both parties for the establishment of a School Resource Officer came to fruition. The $47,500 contribution to the officer’s salary by the school was approved. 

The Minnewaska Area School gymnasium project is nearly complete and with minor details to sew up, the school board has opted to move forward with the advertising opportunities on the scoreboards. There are four advertising packages offered all featuring several engagements and ranges for any budget. 

The board also approved the action to dissolve the cooperative sponsorship with BBE for girls’ golf and boys’ tennis. Both schools are able to sponsor the teams without cooperative sponsorship, it was stated.

The Truth-In-Taxation meeting for the district is scheduled to be held at 6:30 p.m., prior to the school board meeting, on December 19, 2022. The school budget, proposed 2022 and payable 2023 property tax levy are on the agenda.  The public is encouraged to attend. Approval of the discussion is set for that night’s school board meeting. 

Several bids were accepted and approved at the meeting including softener salt awarded to Tom’s Market, snow removal to Braaten Masonry and McCrory Maintenance, milk supply to Cass Clay Creamery and bread to Bimbo Bakeries, USA. 

The food service department discussed the discontinuation of free lunches from the pandemic period and has opted to keep meal prices as they have been. Lunch for Pre-K through 5th grade are $3 per meal and 6th grade through 12th grade are $3.10 per meal. Adult breakfast is set at $3 and adult lunch is set at $4.10. “Our intent by keeping pricing the same is to help parents acclimate back into paying lunch bills again,” said Food Service Director Bridget Gallagher.

E-learning plans for the 2022-2023 school year were approved for weather related absences. The plans will be posted on the district website and communication directly to families will also be shared. The decision for an e-learning day will be decided by 6:10 a.m. and will be communicated to parents via television, radio, the district website, voicemail, email or text via the school emergency messenger system.