LONE TREE

The Lone Tree School Board met on Wednesday, Oct. 18, for a regularly scheduled meeting.

The board met with Amy Shalla, both Lone Tree and Mid-Prairie’s Special Education Director. At Mid-Prairie, Shalla is the Alternative Learning Center (ALC) Principal.

Shalla discussed Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504s and what the differences are. A 504 is solely an accommodation for a student whereas an IEP is an accommodation, modification and specially designed instruction.

Shalla fielded questions from the board about how she and the staff help students in these programs by giving them personal care and making sure certain goals are reached so they’re learning at their best-possible pace.

She also explained that no matter the cost, the IEP must be provided for a student if it is determined they need one.

“There used to be a time in our history where if you had an IEP, you were sent to a different school. The laws have changed, you are to be provided an education in the school that you reside in. Just because you have a disability does not mean you need to go somewhere else,” Shalla said.

“What happens sometimes is [its] really hard to fill needs or people will say, ‘I can't provide for this child.’ Well, if they live in your district, you will provide for that child. [It] doesn't matter what it costs. The law says they will be provided in your district,” Shalla added.

After Shalla’s presentation ended, the board moved on to the reoccurring agenda items. They would later approve the SBRC Modified Allowable Growth Application for the 2022-2023 Special Education Deficit requesting $110,698.12.

HVAC

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, the board met for a special session to approve an HVAC project which would provide heating and air to the south gym. The project’s estimated cost is $420,000.

At the Oct. 18 meeting, the board approved to use ESSER funds to pay for over half of the cost, roughly. The rest will be funded from accounts the school holds for facility work.

Shive-Hattery will present their design for the system along with costs during a school board meeting on Nov. 15.

In an email, superintendent Tyler Hotz said: “Just wanted to pass along this positive update that many students, staff, and community members have expressed as a need for the gym.”

Personnel

There is a list of new hires to go through. Ryan Burke, Assistant HS Boys Basketball Coach; Brenda Deal, MS/HS Counselor; Corina Shipp, JH Girls Basketball Coach; Ashley Zaruba, HS Assistant Track Coach; Michael Eden, HS Assistant Baseball Coach.

The school board will next meet on Wednesday, Nov. 1 for a board workshop in the superintendent’s office.