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MACCRAY leaders highlight high conference turnout, student screenings and bus driver concerns
Summary
Administrators and trustees reported strong parent-teacher conference turnout and student vision/hearing screenings, and discussed transportation challenges — including an aging driver pool, retention issues and three new propane buses — plus concerns about special education classroom space.
Administration told the board the district saw strong family engagement at recent parent-teacher conferences and reported substantial student health-screening activity, while trustees raised operational concerns about transportation and special education space.
Principal Todd reported a 93.5% turnout at parent-teacher conferences and said nine classrooms had full attendance, calling the turnout "great." Superintendent Josh highlighted the district’s long-running vision and hearing program, saying that "since 2022, at MACCRAY we have done vision and hearing for 1,220 kids," and that about 145 students were referred for glasses following screenings.
Trustees discussed transportation after a recent conversation with the bus contractor and a visit from Jenna Brown, CEO of Palmer Bus. Board members and administration flagged an aging driver workforce and difficulty recruiting and retaining drivers; staff reported exploring options including encouraging existing staff (coaches, teachers or advisors) to obtain bus licenses. The superintendent also reported discussion of fuel options and contract concerns when employers pay for CDL training and drivers leave shortly after obtaining licenses.
A trustee noted the district had acquired three propane buses that "will be starting to run in March," and board members said they will monitor how the propane buses compare with diesel in practice. Trustees also asked about special education capacity: while the district has added SPED students and staff, several trustees said existing space has been inadequate and the superintendent said he has asked administrators to meet with special education staff to evaluate space and report back next month.
The board also heard routine operational updates: completion of the outdoor classroom steelwork, installation of granite fines on pathways (staff described hauling a large volume of material), planned dental visits offering cleanings and sealants in March/April, and winter-preparation planning (Operation Snow Desk) following a National Weather Service briefing projecting a snowy winter.
The items were presented as informational: the board requested follow-up on special education space, the transportation plan and the operational details for the propane buses and dental clinic arrangements.
