02/07/13 During a meeting on February 5, the Plymouth School Board approved entering into a contract with Safety Consultant David Rambo. Rambo will audit the safety procedures and policies at each building in the Plymouth Corporation over a three-day period. According to Superintendent Daniel Tyree, Rambo will then make suggestions on how safety can be approved, if warranted. The final audit results should be completed for review by the Board prior to the March school board meeting. The contract was approved for $2,000.
Tyree outlined other safety measures that are in the works for the corporation. He said four administrators had toured the Penn-Harrison- Madison schools to observe safety policies. Tyree said, “Police officers have been in our schools nearly every day.” Tyree also noted that Director of Quality Programs, Michele Riise, is scheduled to attend a safety conference in the near future. Riise serves as the Safety Director for the corporation.
The Plymouth School Board also unanimously approved naming the proposed New Tech middle school Innovation Academy. Although classes would be held at two sites-Riverside Intermediate and Lincoln Junior High-the New Tech program will serve as one unit, according to Tyree.
Tyree presented a proposed school calendar for the 2013-14 school year. He indicated that there is a solid three-day weekend scheduled for February of 2014. He added that plans are to use one-half day at the beginning of the school year and one-half day at the end of the school year as workdays for teachers. Professional Days for teachers have also been moved to the beginning of the school year as opposed to the later dates usually set aside for staff training.
Focus groups with school and community members will continue as administrators work through a strategic plan for the future. The last of three groups will meet on February 21 and will be geared towards parents.
The next Board meeting will be held on March 5 at 7:00 p.m. in the Administration Board Room.
Carol Anders Correspondent
