Keota School Ad Now Playing in Theaters

KEOTA – During the August 8 meeting of the Keota School Board, Superintendent Lisa Brenneman informed the board that the district’s marketing video had begun running at the State Theater in Washington. She stated that kids were excited to have seen themselves on the big screen. Board member Jim Tinnes explained that the ad started running a week later than it was supposed to, and that the theater had offered to show it for one week at a different theater in the same chain as an apology.

The board approved the new elementary handbook, which contains similar updates as the new high school handbook, including new chronic absenteeism policies. Brenneman explained that, under the new policies, there will be weekly meetings with parents of chronically absent children, with the county attorney getting involved if things are not addressed.

The board approved sending a letter of support to the Keota Sports Boosters, who are attempting again to obtain a grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation for improvements to the softball and baseball field including new rock, a covering over the outfield fence, a flag pole, and improved airflow in the girl’s dugout. This grant proposal was previously rejected in February. The board previously approved matching $10,000 to the grant.

Brenneman informed the board that the district’s Title IX LGBT policies are currently rolled back to the policies from 2020, due to an ongoing injunction. Brenneman stated she was looking for local businesses to partner with the school for a work-based-learning program. Elementary Principal Seth Milledge stated that the new school website was almost done, but had been held back on launching until after online registration was done to avoid confusing parents.