School board sets goals

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, January 17, 2001

The Austin Public School Board has approved its goals for the district's 2002-03 school year.

At a two-day retreat in April, the board met with consultant Roger Worner to discuss areas of the district that needed improvement. At Thursday's board meeting Worner presented the final version of the board's goals and the steps the board needs to take next for it to achieve those.

The three goals of the district are to improve the organization and communication of everyone in the school system, to strengthen the fiscal integrity and marketing procedures of the district and to strengthen the district's curriculum.

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Identifying the district's weaknesses and strengths, Worner said, were "monumental steps. I can find so many instances where schools say they do something and then they don't do it."

He said the board should examine the district's organizational chart, the policy manual, the job descriptions of each position in the system and the roles of each member of the staff and administration. The strengths and needs of each should then be identified and

In other board news:

n Bids were awarded to Harris Transmitters, Heartland Video and Radio Frequency Systems for new transmission equipment for KSMQ. The total cost of the equipment is more than $680,000. Lori Volz, director of business services, said the federal government has granted $500,000 toward the new equipment and the remaining $180,000 will be covered by a state aid grant.

n The board approved the addition of a 1983 Pontiac Firebird to the list of items to be auctioned at the district's surplus auction, July 31. The vehicle was built by the Austin High School's small engine repair class and has a minimum bid of $2,500.

n The resignation of Royce Helmbrecht from his position as an assistant principal at Austin High School was approved. Helmbrecht, who will take over principal duties at Lyle Public Schools, has set his last day for Aug. 8.