NSSD will administer scholarships to U of U
MT. PLEASANT— At the North Sanpete School District board meeting Tuesday, Oct. 20, the board learned that the North Sanpete High School counseling center, recently named the Dr. Emmitt and Verda Boyne Counseling Center, was a recipient of a $1 million endowed scholarship fund to the University of Utah.
The scholarship will provide full-ride scholarships for Sanpete County high school graduates, with preference given to graduates of North Sanpete High School and/or students who intend to major in education.
Sanpete High School staff. From left are Heather Allred, counselor; Becky Rees, registrar; Christine Straatman, principal; John Hafen, counselor; and Ben Cox, counselor. The scholarships are for study at the University of Utah but will be administered by the North Sanpete School District.
This scholarship was proposed two years ago, and now that the funding is in place, was presented at the board meeting. The high school will administer the trust. Trustees David R. Boyne and Thomas J. Bye made the presentation. They also visited the school and spent some time with the school counselors and staff. Boyne and Bye are both North Sanpete High School alumni.
The next item on the board’s agenda was to change requirements and reimbursement for substitutes in an effort to entice more substitutes to the North Sanpete School District.
“Since COVID, we have struggled to have enough substitutes in the district,” said board member O’Dell Hansen. “Up to this point, substitutes have been required to pay $60 and take a test before substituting. That requirement has been dropped. Now, the only requirement is having a high school diploma or GED.”
Certified teachers who substitute are given a higher rate of pay. Now, if an individual was ever a certified teacher, even if the certification has expired or lapsed, the higher rate of pay will be given.
Finally, substitutes who show longevity are being rewarded with a $2/hour increase. If a sub works 180 hours, they can apply for a $2/hour increase. If they work 360 hours, that increase will also apply to their next year as a substitute. The new rules not only apply to substitutes who are subbing for a teacher, but also for substitutes who sub in for a teacher assistant or who sub in for an employee in the food services.
Next, the board unanimously approved extending Superintendent Nan Ault’s contract for another year. The contract is renewed once every two years.
The board also approved a stipend to hire an assistant coach for the girls’ wrestling team, which was sanctioned by the state just last year. It was noted that participation has been growing since the team was organized.
The current coach is Jared Nicholson. The girls’ wrestling team will attend mostly tournaments, instead of dual meets, to allow the girls more experience, as girls’ wrestling is just getting started in Utah.
The board approved buying eight more Stop Arm cameras for district buses. The cameras can show if drivers attempt to pass a bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop sign is extended. This will facilitate prosecution of drivers who break the law.
The board also spent some time discussing procedures for coaches to be reimbursed for meals while at meets or tournaments. The policy now sets an upper limit for reimbursement but requires coaches to submit receipts, and they will be reimbursed for the lesser of the per diem amount or the receipt.
The board also set the district Christmas party for Dec. 7 following the board meeting, which will be held at 4 p.m. The November meeting will be on the 17th at 7 p.m., per the usual schedule.
