Lake Ridge New Tech Schools board approves nurse‑supervisor contract, 2025 budget and personnel slate

The Lake Ridge New Tech Schools Board of School Trustees on Oct. 28 approved a contract for a district nurse supervisor, adopted a 2025 budget resolution and voted unanimously to accept a series of financial reports and personnel recommendations.

Dr. Shirley, the district’s superintendent, outlined five district goal areas — academics, safety, equity, communication and finances — and presented a slate of recommended professional development opportunities for staff, saying the district would fund attendance for identified employees from Title II-A where noted. “Our goal areas…All learners will continue as we demonstrate academic growth,” Dr. Shirley said while reviewing the district priorities and the recommended conference attendances.

Board members moved quickly through routine business. The board voted to approve accounts payable vouchers and the October 2024 payroll; accept treasurer and fund reports including the Old National Athletic Complex donation fund and the Old National Self Insurance Fund; and approve recommended resignations and appointments for positions such as vote keeper, social worker, school counselor, instructional aides and a secretary/bookkeeper. Each of those motions was recorded as passing by a 5-0 vote.

During new business, district staff recommended several items — a list of extracurricular supervisors and event workers, stipends for additional teacher training, several school fundraisers, and a donation to a high‑school team account — and asked the board to approve a contract with PSI (a provider identified as affiliated with ESS) to supply a district nurse supervisor for the 2024–25 school year. A district representative described PSI as providing a certified supervisor who would oversee CNAs and LPNs across buildings and help bring the district into compliance with departmental health and education requirements such as required vaccinations and routine hearing and vision screenings.

“PSI is providing us with a district nurse supervisor for the remainder of the 24–25 school year,” the district representative said when asked to explain the contractor’s role.

The board approved all new‑business items, including the PSI contract and the adoption of the 2025 budget resolution, by unanimous vote.

Board members also approved the recommended professional development attendances, with Dr. Shirley listing specific conferences and dates that the district proposed to fund. The superintendent said expenses for many of the recommended training sessions would be paid from Title II-A funds.

In closing comments, board members thanked community partners and staff, noted progress on construction projects at multiple buildings, and reminded residents to vote early or on Election Day. “They made a lot of progress this past week,” a board member said of the contractors working during fall break.

Votes at a glance - Accounts payable vouchers and October 2024 payroll: approved, 5-0 (motion introduced to consider vouchers and payroll). - Treasurer’s report (periods ending July 31 and Aug. 31, 2024): accepted, 5-0. - Old National Athletic Complex donation fund report (July/August 2024): accepted, 5-0. - Old National Self Insurance Fund report (July/August 2024): accepted, 5-0. - Professional development approvals (staff conference attendance recommendations): approved, 5-0. - Personnel resignations/appointments and employment items (listed hires and effective dates): approved, 5-0. - New business items (ECA supervisors/event workers, stipends, fundraisers, donations, technology manager hiring recommendation, PSI/PFI district nurse supervisor contract, 2025 budget resolution): approved, 5-0.

What happens next The district will proceed with the contracted nurse‑supervisor arrangement and the listed professional development plans. Personnel hires take effect on the effective dates included in the personnel slate. The board did not schedule further action on these items at the meeting and adjourned after closing remarks.