The Greene County School Board met Wednesday in regular session.

Superintendent Tim Christensen updated the Board on the progress of the former National Guard Armory building for a new bus barn. He said that they’ve had the boiler system running since Saturday and turned on the water. Both tested out fine and without complications. Before a final agreement is put in place with the Greene County Board of Supervisors, the County has to test the septic system.

The Board then heard a review of the national FFA convention trip and an update on the student construction housing program. The 1,000 square-foot house has some shingles on it and the windows will be installed after winter break. The District is also working with the Prairie Lakes AEA on trying to remodel the upper floor of the AEA building on the north side of the downtown square in Jefferson.

During the administrative reports, elementary principal Scott Johnson said they are going to start a new program in January called Jump Start Mondays. The students will start the school day every Monday for the rest of the school year in the gym dancing to music and doing other activities to promote a positive environment for the week.

The Board then approved four fundraising requests, six voluntary retirement applications, a $416,029 request for modified supplemental funds for their dropout prevention and at risk programs through the School Budget Review Committee, along with $5,711 in administration costs for Woodward Academy Dayschool and $11,549 request for Grandwood were approved. The Board additionally approved the Promise Iowa for Public Education Campaign resolution as presented.

The Board then discussed sharing a superintendent with Ogden School District. The current half-time superintendent is wanting to retire at the end of the school year and the Ogden School Board approached Greene County Schools to share a superintendent. The Ogden School Board indicated that they want a 50/50 split. However, the Greene County School Board agreed that a 50/50 split would not work and asked to see if there is another figure for them to consider.

The Board also approved criteria for a building principal reduction in force. In light of the Board approving to close the intermediate building, the Board then had to look at putting together criteria for a reduction in administration. The Board approved a set of mixed criteria where the superintendent would evaluate overall performance of the administrators, look at the licensure for the remaining positions and then make a recommendation to staff the remaining positions.

Finally, Christensen mentioned that February 22nd would be a special board meeting date to receive bids for the elementary addition project.