I would like to take a moment to update you on the School Board’s activities and actions.

Please remember that the board meetings are open to the public online. The link is provided on the posted agenda and on the school calendar. Also, the minutes for each board meeting are provided on the website and in the Cascade Courier.

The previous year's audit was completed and the auditor’s presented the audit to the board at the January meeting. Cascade passed the audit with flying colors and received the highest rating possible. Congratulations to our Clerk, Karsen Drury for the accomplishment.

During the December Board meeting, the Transportation Committee recommended and the Board approved a $2,000 bonus to anyone who obtains a CDL and completes 80 hours of driving for the District. This bonus is to recruit new bus drivers for activities and routes. 

At the January meeting, the Transportation Committee recommended and the Board approved, a bonus for any bus driver that completes the school year employed with the District. The bus drivers that meet the requirements, will receive a bonus of $3.00 for every hour of driving.

The Transportation Committee is also in the process of replacing the Badger bus.  The Badger bus is 20 years old and has been depreciated out at 150% of the total purchase value. At 20 years old, the bus is now older than any of our students currently attending school. The District has been preparing for the replacement since the last administration and has been setting aside funds to accomplish the purchase of a new Activity bus. The Transportation Committee hopes to have a recommendation for the February Board meeting. More information about the proposed bus can be retrieved at this link: https://www.nationalbus.com/Ultra-Coachliner-SE-102.php

If you would like to discuss these actions, you may contact the members of the Transportation Committee. The members include:

Iain McGregor
Rick Cummings
Chris Wilson

The Facilities Committee has been active this winter as well. The Committee is considering two future projects at the moment. The first is installing a rubberized track. The Facilities Committee will receive more information on Friday, January 22^nd, at 8 am about the cost of the project and review its options.

The Committee will also consider building a wellness center or community fitness center. The fitness center is in the early exploratory phase. An architect will be at Friday’s meeting to discuss the committee’s vision.

The Facilities Committee would like to hear from you if you have any questions. The Committee members are:

Chris Wilson
Iain McGregor
John Rumney

2020/21 is a significant year for the community and the school district. The bond established in 2001 for the build of the new gym and addition to the school will be complete. The District would like to thank the community for the support for the project.

Previously, the Technology Committee took a hard look at the expenditures from the technology fund, which is funded by the technology levy. After looking at the expenditures, the Committee prioritized technology expenditures as 1. Purchases needed to educate students, 2. Purchases needed for the safety of the students and 3. Purchases needed for the school to operate. By setting these priorities, the District was ahead of the curve on Chromebooks when the pandemic hit, and classes had to be conducted online. We already had a Chromebook for each student, while other districts were struggling to get enough devices for students. Also, the District has been able to update the networking infrastructure to handle all of the devices and is currently updating the out of date cameras in the school. Through the leadership of the Committee, the technology fund has increased savings and kept expenditures are more responsible.

Through the hard work of the district's staff, Cascade Schools has been able to remain open and our students have been able to participate in activity and athletic events.

We as a school staff, more than anyone, understand the frustrations of the pandemic and the rules and mandates put in place because of it. We look forward to the day the restrictions are lifted and we can return to normal operations. Until then, to do our part in ending the pandemic, we are required to enforce the mandates and ensure that all students and staff are kept safe and healthy. 

Remember we did not make these rules, but we are responsible for enforcing them. Please help us in our efforts by doing your part and wear a mask to ensure our doors stay open for activities. 

We ask you to please be respectful and cooperative. The games would not be possible without our volunteers willing to step in and donate their time so your student-athlete can compete and you can watch them compete. Please show our hard-working employees the respect they deserve by wearing your mask and thanking them for their part in today’s competitions.

It was announced that Cascade was awarded the District Girls Basketball Tournament.

The school has new black lockers in the JH hall thanks to the Booster Club and Jodie Campbell.

On behalf of the School Board, thank you for supporting our school and our students!