Community Members Express Concerns at SCSD#3 Board Meeting

The SCSD#3 Board held their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14.

To open the meeting, Wyatt Holland, Tapferkeit house head, along with members Jorgen Michelena and Alex Schneck gave a presentation about what their house is doing this month. Hollard said their House is hosting several events at the school so far during January.

There was standing room only in the board room, with around 35 parents and community members who came to express their concerns with the school. Eight people spoke out on the house system, the library, and the fact that the school is losing students.

Clearmont Community Church Pastor Mark King said his comments would be in the form a prayer.

Dustin Bates, Clearmont resident, spoke about the house system.

Bates said that in his opinion the house system should not be mandatory for the students, but they should be allowed to opt out if they want.

Amy Vineyard spoke to the board about coming together as a team to fix what she feels is wrong with the school. She said that Clearmont used to turn away students because there was no room.

She said that today, the superintendent has a very black and white outlook. “You either like what we are doing in the school, or you can homeschool.” She felt that the school was working more for the admiration than the students.

Nellie George spoke to the board about losing students

She added if the kids don’t want to be a part of house system, let them opt out.

Kelly Betz talked about the school library. She presented handouts to the board that were references on how important actual books were for students. She felt that school libraries should be full of books.

Kris Mallie and Ashley Bassett were concerned about losing the school, and re-calibration. Bassett said there were only 11 graduates this, with 21 kids left in the high school. She added that people were scared of losing the school.

In other business the school board approved several policies and approved to remove several policies as well. The voted to approve the contract for Greg Rohrer as Business Manager, and to approve the 2026 -2027 school calendar.

The board will hold a listening session on Feb. 4, with the topic being Profile of a Graduate. The community is urged to attend.

The next board meetings will be Feb. 17 and 18, at 7 p.m.