No more ‘Comet Field’
BY SUZANNE WERRE,
Editor
While discussion on the new-year startup took much of the July 28 Underwood School Board meeting time, the board also dealt with several other issues, including some changes prompted by the inclusion of more sports being added to the Central McLean Cougars Co-op.
Comet Field, Underwood’s home football field, has a new name following Tuesday’s approval by the board. The football/track and field complex will now be called Kevin Dockter Field, following unanimous approval by the board members.
In bringing the resolution to the board, president Mike Heger said naming the field after Dockter, who coached Underwood/Central McLean football and track/field teams for a combined 34 years, is a very fitting choice for a new name for the complex.
“I think it is very well deserving,” added board member Jim LeRoy, who made the motion to accept the resolution.
The buildings and grounds committee will determine how best to change the signage for the sports complex.
Sports fans will be able to view events held on the newly-named Kevin Dockter Field, even if they’re not on site as the board approved the purchase of a Pixellot streaming service from NFHS at the cost of $4000 for installation of a camera on the football field and one in the gym.
Patrons will have the opportunity to buy a subscription to the service, which will allow them to watch not only CMC athletic events on the football field and in the gymnasium, but other schools’ events as well.
In approving the purchase, the board members agreed that the streaming service will allow people who don’t feel comfortable attending athletic events and other school activities (concerts, theatre performances) to view the activities from their homes.
Dick informed the board that the Garrison School is still looking into starting a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program that would potentially be open to other schools. It may be an excellent opportunity for some of Underwood’s students once the CTE program is up and
No more ‘Comet Field’
Sports complex named for ‘Doc’running.
“There are a lot of opportunities in the ag industry that I think our kids can benefit from,” said Dick. “It can have a wide range of applications . . . with the relationship we’ve built with Garrison and the FFA, it makes sense to continue this discussion.”
The board continued discussion on the fall start-up, noting that there will probably be changes regarding sporting activities, including the likelihood there will be no 16-team volleyball tournaments or events where several different schools will be brought together for major events.
Board member Amanda Haseleu noted that temperature checks have been requested by some parents who indicated they will not send their children to school if temperature checks aren’t done.
How the school deals with the coronavirus will evolve depending on the situation.
“We can’t come up with every scenarios,” said Dick.”We’re going to have to problem solve.”
“There is not a playbook for this,” added board member Brent Charging. “We’re writing it.”
The board opted to table approval of the new handbook, noting that the new coronavirus policies should be included in this year’s handbook. LeRoy added that the school needs to make sure the policies in the handbook are adhered to enforced.
Keeping COVID-19 in mind, the board approved the purchase of the eFunds package for schools, which will allow parents to make payments for activities, lunches, registration, etc. online.
Haseleu noted the eFunds package is another way the school can provide a service to the school’s parents without requiring the parent to come to the school.
“A huge part of health and wellness is keeping people out of the school,” said Haseleu. “This is the final piece to being able to register students online.”
As of the July 28 meeting, school is still set to start Aug. 20, but there is always a chance it could change if circumstances regarding the coronavirus warrant.
“School starts Aug 20 now . . . but nothing is set in stone on that,” said Dick.
In other business, the board:
Briefly discussed incentive pay for educators who put in extra hours providing technological services this spring.
Appointed Angela Riehl as school district manager.
Unanimously approved electing Mike Heger chairman of the school board, and Brent Charging as vice chair.
•Approved replacement of the lights around the football field noting that most of them had not been replaced since they were installed in 1984.
•Was informed Doug Wolf has been hired as a bus driver, while Terri Wolf has been hired as kitchen staff.
•Briefly discussed the CMC co-op agreement, which indicates major sporting events will be held at Turtle Lake and Underwood alternately, to include Homecoming/Parents Night/Awards Banquets, etc.
Approved raising substitute teacher pay to $20/hour.
•Approved raising the breakfast/lunch prices by 5 cents per meal.
•Approved raising the price of the student activity pass to $50, but kept the adult, senior and punch card prices the same as last year.
•Approved the preliminary school budget, which indicates there will be a 3 percent increase in taxable valuation. Kept individual game/double-header prices the same as last school year. The ending balance for 2019-20 is $1,135, 676.10 compared to an anticipated budgeted ending balance for 2020-21 of $1.101415.09. Dick noted this is a preliminary budget that is required by the county, and it will be fine-tuned.
•Approved the Central McLean News-Journal as the school’s official newspaper; American Bank Center as the school funds depository.
•Approved the following committee assignments: President – Mike Heger; Vice President – Brent Charging; Building, Grounds, and Transportation -- Brent Charging, LeRoy; Finance and Budget – LeRoy, Charging; Negotiations/Personnel/Administration/Policy/Evaluations/Curriculum – Heger, Haseleu; CMC Cooperative – Heger, LeRoy; MTSS/COVID-19 – Haseleu, Sarah Ness.
