Students recognized, principals report testing and programs; superintendent flags website and shared counsel offers

The board recognized music students and honor ensembles and received routine administrative reports at the March 11 meeting of the Miami‑Yoder Joint District No. 60 Board of Education.

Mrs. Taylor told the board about participation levels across grade bands, honor choirs and bands, and the district’s music‑technology work: students completed a Pro Tools certification (part 1) this year with part 2 available next year. Student Ethan told the board he values the community in the music program and serves as secretary for Tri‑M. Student Olivia, a senior involved in choir and band, said she is completing a Music Education work‑study, has earned scholarship awards and plans to pursue college study in music education.

Elementary Principal Sheila Hartley reported on targeted parent‑teacher conferences, professional development on co‑regulation and early‑childhood strategies, CMAS training, an Hour of Code and a STEM/math parent night attended by about 75 people; preschool students staffed the local food pantry; and after‑school tutoring focused on math will begin March 31.

Secondary Principal Corinna Brewer said CMAS testing is scheduled for most of April; four students were taken to regional science fair with three winning prizes; the parent‑teacher conference book fair raised $3,639; and 16 students signed up for CareerStart (12 ready to take Accuplacer for potential college classes).

Athletic Director Melissa Bringhurst noted athletic highlights including banners in the gym, the girls basketball team’s regional appearance for the first time in over 30 years, and upcoming HS and MS track meets. Business Manager Glenda Strouse reported the audit is complete and a Zoom review with the auditor is scheduled for the next board meeting and said the district’s ending fund balance has grown; she also recorded the student count in the minutes as 335.

Superintendent Tonya Rodwell noted Destination Imagination funding is largely self‑funded aside from hotel and state fees and shared a vendor offer from Aptagy for a first‑year website installation/subscription at $4,000 (typical first‑year cost listed as $10,000); board members preferred to prioritize funds for students. Rodwell also proposed sharing in‑house counsel (Michelle Murphy) with nearby districts at a fixed fee (noted as about $10,000) to avoid unpredictable hourly costs; the board expressed interest in the idea.

The board did not hold public comment at this meeting and no substantive debate occurred on the reports; items will move to operational follow up as needed.