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

Board Hires New Principal

The Kimball School Board approved the contract for Amanda Culek as the Mary Lynch principal and Special Services Director on Monday night at their regular meeting. (See sidebar with Amanda Culek's response to the approval.)

The board also accepted two resignations from Ashley Heidemann, 10-12 Language Arts teacher, and Luke Maas, Science teacher.

In a board presentation, the FFA Conduct of Chapter Meeting team comprised of eighth graders and one freshman demonstrated their skills in front of the board and attendees.

The school board acknowledged and recognized a variety of students and their accomplishments in the past few weeks, including boys and girls basketball, wrestling, academic awards, WTC conference awards, music awards, speech, cheerleading and all-state awards.

Superintendent Trevor Anderson's April report stated that the LED lighting project at Mary Lynch elementary was completed, and additional LED lighting was installed in classrooms at the Jr/Sr High School, making the district much more energy efficient.

In addition, the walls by the auditorium will be completed by Mr. Mohr's classroom. The removal of the carpet on the walls will be completed in the next few weeks. This week the cooling units will be installed on the roof at Mary Lynch.

Anderson's financial update explained that 40% of the budget had been spent, with 58% of the fiscal year completed. The actual year-to-date expenditures are $4,213,209.33, and the current cash in the General Fund is $2,160,149.24.

The new auditorium seating has been ordered and will arrive in September.

The report for Mary Lynch Elementary School by Principal Jamie Soper mentions that summer school dates are June 6 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday. NSCAS testing is scheduled for April 21-22 and April 26-28. Field Day is May 19, and Pre-K and Kindergarten Roundup will occur on May 4. PBIS reward trip to the Trampoline Park in Cheyenne is May 24.

High school Principal Danielle Reader was pleased with the attendance at the spring Parent/Teacher Conference, which was 51%.

NSCAS and NWEA MAP testing are scheduled for April and May. Reader also reported that teacher openings include ELA and social studies, and there is an opening for a special education Paraprofessional.

The board approved an overnight out-of-state student trip to the South Dakota School of Mines West River Math Contest. The school will be taking about 20 students and two sponsors.

The West River Math Contest Divisions include testing in Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Math, and a Master's Exam.

The next regular board meeting will be May 9 at 6:30 p.m..