“It’s good to be back,” said Ryherd.

The board consented to moving forward to start developing an agreement between Stratford and Webster City for Superintendent sharing. According to Sherwood, last November he and board member Michelle Zahn met with Stratford Superintendent Sarah Binder and Stratford school board member Patterson where they “explored the possibility of sharing a superintendent with Webster City.”

According to Sherwood, at Stratford’s Dec. 14 board meeting, the board approved a motion to request the sharing to come to the Webster City school board. The Stratford school board approved this decision unanimously.

“Superintendent Binder is retiring at the end of this year. They would be looking at hiring a full-time administrator for their building and then the sharing situation would be similar to Northeast Hamilton as well,” said Sherwood.

The possible sharing agreement would be positive for both the Stratford and Webster City School Districts, according to Sherwood. He noted solid transportation and business office sharing between the two districts as well.

“We’ve done a lot of sharing with Stratford…I think the partnership has been very solid and there’s a lot of good things in place that support this and would make it work,” Sherwood said.

The board approved The Promise of Iowa Resolution, which aims to support the success and opportunity for students within the state of Iowa. The resolution encourages a well-rounded curriculum and safe, modern facilities for each community.

“This is in support of the Iowa Association of School Board’s statewide movement to celebrate the successes of students and rally support for investments in public education,” said Webster City Superintendent Mike Sherwood.

“The Webster City School District Board of Education pledges to join and support the efforts of the Promise of Iowa Campaign to ensure that Iowa lawmakers continue to prioritize investments to improve the community schools that create opportunities for more than $48,000 public school Iowa students,” said Cathi Hildebrand, board secretary.

The board observed the Rural School Advocates of Iowa Legislature Initiative video Monday evening. The purpose of the video is to help with potential future discussions with Iowa legislators. Discussion items in the educational video included transportation equality, the State Penny Sales Tax, formula equity, operating sharing incentives, summer school, capacity concerns, and technological advancements and standards.

A fundraising request from the Parent Teacher Organization to sell cookie dough was approved by the board. The PTO hopes to raise $20,000 which will be used for field trips, school assemblies, and other activities for the elementary schools.

The board approved the second reading of two board policies: Unexcused Absences Regulation and Purchasing Bidding.

Five early retirement applications were approved by the board. Applications were submitted by Donna Bristow, 8th grade math and science; Lynn Corrow, 5th and 6th grade band and music; Steve Saathoff, maintenance; Dawn Scholtens, Sunset Heights Instructional Coach; and Gary Scholtens, Technology Integrationalist.

Board member Juli Jaycox was absent at Monday night’s meeting.

The next informal board meeting will Stratford and Northeast Hamilton will be on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. in Stratford.

The next meeting of the Webster City School Board will be held on Monday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at the school administration office building.

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