The Broadus School Board trustees held their monthly meeting Monday evening, with all members in attendance except for Shasta Madsen.

During the hearing of the public the board heard from school bus contractor John Blain, who showed the board pictures of the bus accident from earlier in the school year.

The board also heard the student council report from Zeason Schaffer.

Libby Nisley gave a demonstration on how the various grades of students have performed on standardized testing. The results were very dependent on individual grades – some were trending downward, while others were trending upward on a year by year basis. Methods to place more students into the upward trend were discussed, with several strategies in the works including the newly updated math curriculum, which is now being taught, and a future update to the English curriculum, as well as an ACT prep day at the high school.

Nisley and Counselor Dori Phillips noted that several years ago, the school implemented a more strenuous writing component in their curriculum, and that has shown to be effective with improvements in the writing scores of the ACT, so they are hopeful these other changes will enact similar effects in the other areas of testing.

The first item on the board agenda was an attendance and transportation contract for a student transferring in; that transfer will take place at the semester break.

Emma Blackstone was approved as a substitute teacher, and Kyle Copelan was approved as a boys basketball volunteer coach. Both hirings are contingent on passing background checks.

The board then heard the recommendation of a committee that had been tasked with finding a candidate for Head Track Coach. Three candidates applied for the position, and the committee recommended Faith Dyrud for the position. Dyrud has previously served as the Assistant Track Coach.

The board then heard comments from Jerry Coulter, who previously worked as Head Track Coach, and who wished to still be considered for the position.

Ultimately the board voted on the matter, and by a 4-3 margin approved a motion to take the committee’s recommendation of hiring Faith Dyrud to the position.

The next item on the agenda was a discussion of staff housing, and the plan is still to work towards a home being built behind the elementary. Superintendent Hansen also discussed the various projects going on around the school, many of which have been delayed due to contractor delays.

The next meeting of the board is scheduled for Monday, December 11th.