Yelm Community Schools hires David Fox as maintenance supervisor; district installing new digital reader boards

The board met and was introduced to David Fox, the district's new supervisor of maintenance and grounds.

"I'm David. Not much to say other than, I'm I'm really thankful for the warm welcome I've received," Fox said, speaking to the board about his first days on the job.

The superintendent added that Fox accepted the position after taking a pay cut to join the district: "David took a pay cut to come here. And I think that is a a big deal. It says a lot about, him as a person."

Operations staff updated the board on a multi-site reader-board project to replace aging electronic signs. Staff described initial dirt work to run fiber to multiple sites, permitting delays where a sign placement was too close to an oak tree (Thurston County required re-siting and re-permitting), and one reader board that has not yet been brought online at Yelm Middle School. Staff said the reader board on Yelm Avenue will be used as a district board to broadcast district messages and that the system will allow the district to push emergency information or districtwide graphics to all linked boards simultaneously.

Operations staff also previewed upcoming status updates on a transportation project and a new learning and training center. The facilities report for March activity was accepted by the board.