Board hears athletic updates, student recognition and a strategic‑planning update

Administrators briefed the Forest Area Community Schools board on athletics, student recognition and the district’s strategic‑planning timeline at the March 9 meeting.

The Athletic Director reported varsity boys basketball finished the season 5‑17 but noted demonstrated growth and that only two seniors are departing. The AD also highlighted individual achievements: Ali Brandt placed sixth in the 170‑pound wrestling class at a recent meet, and Kelson Schultz placed 10th in state powerlifting competition. Spring sports signups were strong, with more than 20 students signed up for both track and baseball; a few junior varsity baseball games are on the schedule to give younger players experience.

Principal Konrad Molter named middle school Students of the Month (Lily Bartlett and Wyatt Lautner) and high school Students of the Month (Ainsley Burgess and Dimitri Rivera). Molter said the choral festival went well and that parent/teacher conferences were not widely attended.

Principal Kirsten Wooer reported staff engagement with Reading Month and said the instructional focus is on high‑yield strategies to teach students new skills. Superintendent Mike Moran congratulated student athletes, thanked participants in the Feb. 28 strategic planning session, said a rough draft is ready and indicated the plan will be presented to the board for approval in April; he also noted that student projects produced by Boone Scharp will be shown at the April meeting and that a building and site summer list is being prepared.

Board members thanked coaches and volunteers for their work supporting athletics; several trustees specifically thanked Thomas Snyder for his contributions to the basketball program.