Sigourney School Board Discusses Work-Based-Learning

SIGOURNEY – During the Feb. 1 meeting of the Sigourney School Board, the board discussed plans for “Savage Advantage,” a set of work-based-learning programs that will have students work for local businesses to earn high school and college credit. There are currently plans for a class for Juniors, possibly a class for Freshmen, and hands-on STEM projects for elementary students. The district is also planning a “Project Palooza” where businesses can come and present projects to students. Superintendent Kevin Hatfield stated that the country is desperate to get kids into WBL classes and that these programs will position Sigourney students for success. Work-based learning director Jenny Bell noted that there are currently 16 WBL students, and gave a recent project where shop students power washed and art students repainted the sign at the industrial park for KCED as an example of a project. Hatfield noted that WBL will be on school report cards next year. He stated that he was in talks with Williamsburg, who currently has a sharing agreement with Sigourney for Bell, about potentially having Bell go full-time at Sigourney.

While looking over calendars for the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 school years, Hatfield stated he believes Sigourney should stay committed to a five-day school week. He speculated that that week’s snow problems were harder on four-day schools and stated Sigourney should stick with a five-day unless something changes, like increased availability of childcare.

Hatfield noted that the new calendars could be modified if the state legislature changes when the school year can begin. Hatfield noted that the new calendars exchange one day of instructional time for one more day of professional development. Board member Steven Seeley asked why they were looking over two different years worth of calendars, noting that was a long time. Hatfield stated it would make things easier for planning the construction work. Board Treasurer Jessica Meier stated that the calendars can be changed if they have to by holding a hearing.

The board received a closeout summary for the elementary infrastructure project from Rust Wolfe of SitelogIQ, who explained that the project cost $6,460,809.62, compared to the $6,506,000 raised by the bond referendum. He stated that the project, which installed new fire alarms, a hot water heater, HVAC systems and lighting, encountered a few issues, like asbestos that had to be removed and problems with electrical systems being underneath concrete, but still managed to finish at bid cost. He noted that project, originally planned for two summers, was almost fully completed over the summer of 2024, with the final touches worked on during the school year and finished in January. He also noted that the district had roughly $68,000 in contingency funds left over.

Hatfield suggested using these contingency funds to redo the elementary gym/cafeteria floor, which would cost $50,000-$70,000. The board approved requesting proposals for redoing the floor, which would be carried out over the summer.

Hatfield brought up the PowerSchool data breach, which resulted in the Social Security Numbers of millions of students and staff members at schools across the country being stolen. Sigourney currently uses a different, similar service, Infinite Campus, and thus was unaffected by the breach. Hatfield stated that there is no reason to require Social Security Numbers on any form and that he was working to remove the spot for them from Sigourney’s Infinite Campus forms. He stated that Sigourney was scrubbing records of Social Security Numbers and would not request them next year.

The Community Facility Advisory Committee, which has attracted 35 members from among the community, had their first meeting that night. They will present recommendations to the school board for the Jr/Sr High infrastructure update in May.