School board approves $20K in bleacher improvements

Weighing convenience against cost, the Cloverdale School Board approved a motion Monday night to use $20,000 on their bleacher upgrade.

Dan Sulkoske, a representative of the construction company working on the bleacher modification, made a presentation including discussion on a pass-through for the bleachers at the athletic field. The main issue comes from needing to raise the seating, he said.

Sulkoske brought in a poster to illustrate how creating the pass-through would create limited obstructed views for those sitting near the top row of the stands.

After much deliberation, Superintendent Carrie Milner proposed the use of a contingent fund of around $20,000 for this modification. Milner cited that in the long run, the benefits outweigh the setbacks of not having a pass-through.

There was also an additional appropriation resolution approved which will make $807,531 available for construction. Along with this resolution, they introduced a third-party into the construction mix.

Laurie Dillman from First National Bank will be handling the money affairs for the construction project.

Meanwhile, the other main topic at the board meeting consisted of the menu for students. This was a hearing where the public's opinion was invited. Only one individual appeared before the board to express concerns over what the school is serving to students.

Merlin Oetken voiced his concern about what is being fed to the children.

"The menu is very carbohydrate heavy," Oetken said. "This affects attention span."

Oetken also cited a book called, "Don't Drink You Milk." He reported that milk causes cramps, irritability, anemia and apathy.

His resolution is to have more dark green vegetables.

Oeken's last point was concerning florescent lighting. He said that independent tests have shown that florescent lights raise a child's hyperactivity. In the same test run with full-spectrum lights, this issue was resolved in a month, he said.

"Rooms painted pink are the best for a child's attention," Oetkin concluded.

The board did not take any official action on the proposal.

In other business:

* Personnel changes are as follows:

Tisha Combs requested a temporary leave of absence for the remainder of the year; Tarin Basford, High School Special Education Instructional Assistant resigned; Teresa Welch was granted temporary employment for the remainder of the year; Michelle Everhart was granted summer employment as a flag sponsor.

The Cloverdale School Board meets at the Arthur Johnson Administration Center regularly on the Third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.