An outdoor classroom curriculum for Hennessey’s pre-K and kindergarten students is in the works for the school’s application for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

School board members approved applying for the funds during their meeting last Monday.

They were given a rough drawing showing where different aspects of the classroom will be located in front of the Early Childhood Development Center on Mitchell Road at East Iowa Street.

All board members were present and agreed to make the application: President James Matthew Matousek, Vice President Luke Lough, Clerk Patrick Griffin, Cristopher Choate and David Tillman.

The classroom plan includes math and phonics programs for K-sixth grades, and will cost $150,000.

That includes turf, Supt. Jason Sternberger told the board.

“We already have some of the items on our list,” he said.

The drawing shows areas for vegetable garden beds at the northwest end of the property, and a stage area on the east corner with a pollinator garden bed behind it. South of there will be an exploration area, then an outdoor kitchen. Then west, closer to the center building will be a meeting area and art station, then north of there will be a sensory station, and a water exploration area.

The plan also includes a storage area, and Sternberger said he didn’t know if the State Department of Education would consider that, and/or the turf needed for the project, as construction. The SDE had turned down the school’s earlier request to use the ESSER funds for the total reconstruction of the school’s track that was built and given to the school about eight years ago.

Some of the outdoor curriculum will include: Sand and water play; Math active play; Science exploration and discovery; Arts/Movement (visual theatre/drama, dance); Outdoor musical instruments, etc.

Furniture and items that will need to be stored include outdoor tables and chairs, kid-size picnic tables.

Voluntary COVID testing

Sternberger said students and staff may receive free COVID-19 testing if they request it and complete an application form. He stressed that testing is optional and will be done by the school nurse. Parents, guardians and staff have been notified, he said.

The free testing is offered through the State Department of Health and State Department of Education.

Annual audit acknowledged

Evan Blasingham of Angel, Johnston and Blasingham presented the school’s annual audit and noted valuations were up $190,000 over last year, and gross production tax income was down, mainly due to $1.43 million in protested and unpaid taxes from oil, gas and wind companies.

The report shows the school collected $9.464 million in general fund revenue, and spent $9.547 million. Reserves from last year were $3,429,136 and this June 30 were $3,346,899.

Other business

In the past, staff who had attended special training sessions were given $3,000 a year in stipends. After the superintendent said they had plenty of funds to do that, the board unanimously approved it.

During his report on grounds and maintenance, the superintendent said they are currently looking at turning the former bus barn into concessions and bathrooms. Board members suggested that the football field, and other areas around the school, be sprayed for weeds.

Note: Board members also approved a bid to replace the track and that story is elsewhere in this edition. Their discussion with Autry Technology Center staff about partnership opportunities was covered in Wednesday’s edition.