The Griswold School Board, Monday evening, approved several matters, including personnel hires. Superintendent Dave Henrichs say the Board approved the following new hires:

• Jeri Orstad – Nurse
• Barbara Teaney; Clarisa Johnson; Alexandria Reilly – Middle School/High School Paraprofessionals
• Chad Rodgers – Junior High Football Coach
• Ryan Lockwood – Assistant Girl H.S. Basketball Coach
• Kassandra Amos: Co-Musical Director

They also approved a one-year leave of absence for Lisa Rush – Cook, and a contract termination for Trish McKinley. Henrichs said the board heard a brief update from their partners at FRK Architects and Estes Construction, with regard to the District’s new facilities. He said the project is very near completion. The Board approved up to $600 for the “Brainfuse” program, which allows anyone at the Griswold of Lewis Libraries who has a library card, to have access to online tutoring, a writing lab and ACT test prep.

In other business, the Griswold Board approved Depositories for the year, a Request for Allowable Growth and Supplemental Aid for 2018-19 Special Education Deficit. Last year, the District’s Special Ed Deficit was $120,000, as compared to $264,000 the year before. Henrichs said they “Greatly decreased” the deficit. Henrichs said also the Board allotted up to $400 for a Veteran’s Day Program put on each year by Board Secretary Nancy Taylor. The Board has supported the program since its inception. It typically costs the school anywhere from $200-to $300, but they built-in the extra to cover costs. The costs include postage, post cards, program paper and table service. He says the community really enjoys the Veteran’s Program.

And, the Board temporarily approved their Board Goals. Henrichs said the temporary approval is because with the change of the election date, their re-organization meeting will not occur until December. Some of the goals were simply left the same, so the new Board can deal with them a bit down the road.