School Board addresses
high school renovation

B.H. Green & Son, Toadvine Enterprises and State Electric Co. were awarded contracts for renovation projects at Lyon County High School on the recommendation of architect Paul King at the School Board’s meeting Dec. 21.
Green’s total bid, which King said was the low bid received, was $132,727; Toadline bid $49,810, and State Electric bid $29,881 on different projects.
Renovations discussed at the board’s Nov. 23 meeting, cover five projects:
 Replacing the asphalt shingles on the north and west side of the high school gym.
 Replacing the floor in the library.
 Bleacher replacement.
 Toilet replacement.
 Fire alarm replacement.
The school board will pay for the renovations using state funding it must use or lose.
On another issue, Instruction Supervisor Debbie Bell updated the board on the Comprehensive District Improvement Plan. The plan has two components: academic performance and learning environment, she said.
She said the Explore, Plan and ACT tests show large percentages of students scoring below the benchmarks. Goals are to improve writing and math by 10 percent in elementary and middle school and to increase high school technology knowledge by 20 percent.
In other business the board:
 Heard a report from Superintendent Quin Sutton that the General Assembly will face another budget crunch when it meets next month. Cuts of 6 percent are projected, but whatever the percent, schools will receive cuts, he said.
“I’m hoping it’s not going to be as bad as they are telling us it’s going to be, but we’ll have to deal with it as it comes to us,” he said.
 Adopted a resolution authorizing the Lyon County School District Finance Corporation to issue revenue bonds.
 Set board meeting dates for 2010-11 for the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. except May and December. In May and December, the board will meet the third Monday at 7 p.m.
 Awarded board member Denny Gray four hours credit for redrawing school board district boundary lines.
 Approved a Race to the Top grant application.
 Conducted a closed session to discuss pending litigation. No action was taken following the session.