School buys $17,446 lawn mower

The Superior Board of Education opened their October meeting at 5:15 p.m. Monday evening prior to Superior playing Sandy Creek in conference volleyball. Luke Meyers, vice-president, conducted the meeting. Matt Sullivan, Matt Bargen and Kristin Tatro, board members, were also present. Brad Biltoft and Peggy Meyer were absent.

Trisha Kuhlman, first year curriculum director, reviewed her activities and goals with the board. This is the first year Superior has hired a curriculum director.

Lexi Premus presented the student ambassador report.

September claims of $698,378.86 were accepted. Morgan Kroeger was authorized to sign district accounts and Kim Williams authority to sign district accounts was withdrawn. The Superior Education Association was recognized as the bargaining unit for certified staff.

The board approved the purchase of the 2024 John Deere lawn mower for $17,456 with money from the depreciation fund. Supt. John Whetzal said the mower would decrease mowing time by 40 percent and is warranted for four years.

“The decrease labor costs and the possibility of a higher resale value made us think the higher purchase price was worth it,” Whetzal said.

After the motion passed, he asked board members, “What is the threshold at which you want me to bring purchases to the board for approval and when do I need to bid?”

Sullivan suggested $100,000. Williams said it was $95,000 for federal funds.

Bargen said, “I am fine with any amount as long as the building and grounds committee is fine with it. If they know, the rest of us do not need to know. That is why we have committees.”

No one challenged Bargen’s statement.

Jodi Fierstein, elementary principal, reported that 78 percent of the 171 Superior elementary students are in the average to above average range in reading achievement and 80 percent are average or above average in math based on MAP testing.

She commended her staff for working to schedule times to meet with parents for parent-teacher conferences. Ninety-six percent of the parents participate in the sessions. During parent-teacher conference, the results of three tests are reviewed: DIBELS, MAP and DESSA.

Elementary school held a lunch buddy picnic, Sept. 18, as a parent engagement activity. “It is one of my favorite days,” Fierstein said. “This year was the first time weather bothered us, so we had it indoors.”

Zach Gowen, a motivation speaker, spoke to third to 12th grade students in mid-September. He is a paraplegic who became a professional wrestler. He spoke about perseverance, overcoming hardships, following the right path and goal setting.

Written reports were submitted by Stephanie Corman – activities director, Audrey Parks – assistant middle school and high school principal and by John Whetzal – superintendent. Highlights from those reports included the following :

Superior speech will compete as class C-2 this winter. Basketball competition classification has not yet been determined.

Currently the volleyball team is in first place in Power Points and has a narrow lead on BDS to host subdistricts.

The football team has a chance to make the playoffs. It is likely Superior will have the first 1,000 yard rushers this season since 2004.

Currently the middle school football team has only one loss on the season.

There are two cross country students who will have a chance to make it to state competition.

MTSS intervention has been implemented this year. It has reduced the number of students on the ineligible list.

The NC3 day care will officially open this coming Monday.

The REP for a new phone system has been posted. The school is receiving bids now and will have a recommendation at the November board meeting.