Board to decide future of primary building

Three Thayer Central Board of Education members are up for re-election next year — Curt Mumm, Tyler Tietjen and Rob Marsh. 

There will be a May primary, said Superintendent Randy Page.

The board met Nov. 11, and Page’s second evaluation went well. There were two evaluations because Page is in his first year with the district. 

“I think it had some highlights of things the board likes and it was a positive forum to share that, which allowed for them to share growth areas,” Page said. 

In other business, the board must decide what to do with the former primary building that has been renovated and occupied for rent by the Southeast Community College Learning Center.

The lease is up at the end of the year, and the roof needs replaced. 

Page said the board will need to take action at the December meeting. 

Page also said he believes the board will discuss the safety concerns regarding facilities, such as the outside walk from the elementary to the high school and vice versa. 

“I think you’ll see the board have that internal conversation about facilities and then go to the public in the form of community forums and public meetings,” he said. 

In past meetings this year, the board has expressed concern for safety, but wanted to go through the hiring of a new superintendent, which was decided last month when they offered Page a permanent position. 

Additional safety concerns are about the doors and locks within the buildings. 

Page said all of the old cylinders should be changed within the next month or so, and eliminate more keys as staff will have fobs for the locks. 

Page was also anticipating the school’s stakeholder meeting that is held twice per year. The meeting is a chance for students, staff and community to offer input in the way of programming and improvement. 

The meeting also gives the district an opportunity to set goals and implement them. Then, an external visit of professional educators evaluate the district and how it has performed. 

Thayer Central is in year four of the five-year cycle. Citizenship and responsibility, along with technology, literacy and assessment scoring are on the district’s list for goals. 

Policy review to pass the complaint procedure was also on the board’s agenda.

Complainants need to follow the chain of command and try to speak directly to the person the complaint originates with, however, the board recognized complainants may feel intimidated or harassment will result. 

“What we want to communicate is for the majority of complaints, follow the chain of command, unless there is a delicate issue,” Page said. “We understand.” 

The board added for complainants to think about what their complaints are before taking action. 

Complaints are submitted either verbally or in writing. 

On finances, Page said Thayer Central is in a healthy position. Its independent audit was approved by the board.

“We don’t have money laying around we don’t need,” Page said. “We are stable with regard to revenue and expenditures. We’re not trying to grow our budget or shrink it and we really want to maintain that.”