School Beat: Superintendent's February 2008 Report

(Ed.note: This text is from the Evansville Schools Web site)

February 2008 Superintendent’s Report


Mid Year Goal Update: My mid-year goal update is in the February Board packet and will also be
posted in the administrator corner on the district website.


Snow Days: While DPI allows us to count 5 days for conference and inclement weather, they don’t allow
us to count conference time in the evening. This means we can actually have 5 snow days. However, they
also require a set number of minutes which is highest at the high school level and lowest at the K-6.

After two snow days and one early dismissal day, we are out of time at the high school. I will propose at
negotiations tonight that the high school goes a full day on February 20 and April 30 while the rest of the
District has early release to make up what will likely be a snow day tomorrow (Wednesday).
If we need another snow day, the whole District will need to go to make up the day(s). This would mean
we would need to go into the second week in June. We would not change the date of commencement. It
will shorten summer school.


Custodial Super Stars: With over 50 inches of snow and counting, our custodial crew deserves special
recognition for keeping our roads and sidewalks clear and safe. They are here very early in the morning
sometimes as early as 3. When they finish snow removal, those on days dash right into the buildings to
catch up on the morning cleaning they typically do when there isn’t snow or ice to deal with. Joe Francis
deserves special praise for keeping our equipment in working order and planning ahead for our ice and
salt supplies – no small feat given the demand this year.


Congratulations Wrestler: Coach Rob Kostroun and his staff are to be congratulated on their excellent
work with our wrestling team who won their third conference wrestling championship in a row. It all
starts over now with tournament season ahead of us. A program like this is built over time. Parent groups
and the middle school wrestling program share in the success of our students. Thanks to Butch Beedle,
Pat Kelley, Andy Lehman and Rob for all their hard work.
Blackhawk Technical College: I have a meeting with Sharon Kennedy, new director of student learning
at Blackhawk on Monday. It will be fun to share our wonderful facility with her. Eric Larson, President,
will share information about how our graduates fare at Blackhawk at our March board meeting. BTC is
making more of an effort to reach out to area high schools and do a better job of recruiting students right
out of high school.