Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Virtual Graduation Set For Kimball

School Librarian Resigns; Junior Kindergarten Gets A Look

As of Wednesday, caps and gowns will have been handed out to the Kimball senior class and plans are being made to have a virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020.

Jr./Sr. High School Principal Mo Hanks explained that Kimball Public Schools is “following the state guidelines, and that KPS Facebook or another medium will be used to show the event.

“We will add the special honors and recognize seniors with names and pictures on slides at the beginning of the slideshow video,” he said. “Our goal is to broadcast the completed slideshow video at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 16.”

Hanks’ report mentioned March, April and May Students of the Month from the Lions Club and Wolf Auto. They are Saydi Schanaman, Beau Hanks, Samuel Cajero and Stephen Bateman.

Maggie Baliman stated that the Kiwanis are organizing a senior parade on or about May 8.

In regular business, the board approved the minutes from two prior meetings, approved the bills and the treasurers report.

Meanwhile, librarian David Hellman’s resignation was approved.

The following new teaching contracts also were approved: Wade Brashear as Guidance Counselor and Media Specialist, Sarah Lewis as Guidance Counselor and Media Specialist, Rachel Lashmett as Mary Lynch Elementary teacher, Arlen Mekelburg as Jr./Sr. High School Teacher, Melissa Mekelburg as Mary Lynch Elementary Teacher and Heidi Chesley as Mary Lynch Teacher and Assessment and SPED Coordinator.

Board member Lynn Vogel gave a board report on the chain of command.

A 3% raise was approved of by the board for the non-teaching staff and three board policies were approved.

The elementary principal report introduced a new concept of junior kindergarten.

Jamie Soper, principal, said she has researched it and for some students it would provide needed time in a classroom situation.

She is investigating a full time junior kindergarten which would provide an opportunity for those students to meet the standards in kindergarten.