PCS board approves final teacher contract for 2019-20

Madison Seamann was approved by the Perkins County School Board as a second-grade teacher for the upcoming school year. 

Originally from Hershey, Seamann graduated from Chadron State College in May after student teaching second grade in Washington. She’s currently teaching summer school in North Platte, and rounds up PCS’ new teacher hires for the 2019-20 school year. 

Handbooks changes

 The board approved the elementary handbook for the upcoming school year. The high school’s drug and alcohol policy was added to the elementary handbook, in addition to the following changes: 

• Students will not use communication devices on the bus.

• Students are generally prohibited from using smart-speakers or other devices which actively or passively create or transmit audio or video recordings, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomePod and AngelSense devices.

This was also added to the high school handbook.

A proposed change to the high school handbook included changing the grading scale from 93-100 for an A to 94-100. After discussing this, the board decided to check on area schools’ grading scales before approving the handbook.

Other changes included implementing eligibility standards to participate in activities such as prom, class field trips, class elections, homecoming royalty, etc.

HAL

Deanne Bishop will be serving as the district’s HAL (High Ability Learner) coordinator for the upcoming school year, replacing Jasmine Lehl. Bishop said Lehl has been helping her with the transition, and they’ve been going over criteria for HAL identification and students’ current data for qualification. 

Part-time students

The board approved the policy for admission of part-time students. Part-time students may participate in extracurricular sports and activities if they attend four classes in high school or two in junior high. They also must meet eligibility requirements and can not participate in activities offered at another school.