WC Schools gear up for a new year
By Anne Blankenship — Daily Freeman-Journal Staff WriterClasses in the Webster City Schools will begin Wednesday, Aug. 20, and Superintendent Mike Sherwood the board of education the district is just about ready for students to return.
"We've had a busy summer," he said, explaining the summer projects the district staff had undertaken. Classroom materials, books and other items were moved between Pleasant View and Sunset Heights Elementary Schools as the district prepared for the new grade-alike buildings beginning this fall. Sherwood said two classroom remodels were nearing completion at Sunset Heights, but there would be a delay in getting the final white boards installed.
Sherwood said the Sunset Heights and Pleasant View playground projects were in progress, with the new tiles to be installed later this week. He said the high school locker room project was waiting for some vent work, and work the boiler room at the high school nearly complete.
Nineteen new teachers have joined the staff for the new year, according to Sherwood. They will take part along with the rest of the staff in professional development days beginning later this week. Curriculum Director Linda Williams showed a welcome-back video for the staff prepared by Rick and Becky DuFour, educational consultants, related to the newly developed Professional Learning Communities in the district. She said Dr. Jim Garber of Arizona will present speak to the staff Thursday.
The board approved the resignation of Michelle O'Brien, a first grade teacher. She has accepted a position in another district, Sherwood said. Tara Larson and Corinne Nelson requested voluntary transfers within the district. Larson transferred from Title 1 to first grade at Pleasant View, and Nelson transferred from first grade to Title 1 reading. Maschelle Myers was hired as a 4-year-old preschool teacher for Riverview and Asbury Preschools, and Rachel Chamberlin was hired as a first grade teacher. The board approved their contracts.
The next meeting of the board will be held Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.
