With the sounds of Powder Puff football echoing in the background, the West Prairie Board of Education met Sept. 23 to conduct public hearings on the FY2027 budget and the district's E-Learning Plan, to review curriculum plans, and to consider action on winterizing the Sciota facility depending on the upcoming acceptance of bids for sale.
First order of business was the holding of public hearings on the two issues mentioned above. No one was present to comment at either hearing.
Once the regular meeting was called to order, the Board quickly moved through the Consent Agenda. The district received three Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. Superintendent Rhinegans said that many such requests are now being generated automatically en masse by AI from companies and organizations with specific agendas. The district is required to respond within 20 working days, but the requests often stipulate that the district will be sued for not responding in time. It's becoming more onerous for district staff to respond to and supply requested information, especially when such requests come from inanimate sources rather than from individuals.
According to Principal Caitlyn Watson, the South Elementary hosted over 170 visitors for Grandparents/ Special Person Day for pre-K through 3rd graders. Students and staff also attended a First Responders Field Day on September 11. North Elementary Principal Sara Ryner stated that their students were present September 11 for a First Responders Field Day. September 18, the students had 100 special grownups join them for various activities and donuts.
At the junior and senior high school, Principal Megan Pittman presented statistics on attendance and beginning of the year STAR screening results compared to last spring's results. She indicated that 25 students enrolled in the Dual Credit courses and that six students are taking AP U.S. Government and Politics, which is being offered for the first time.
