When the Niles Community Schools Board of Education meets on Aug. 15, a vote will be held to see who will fill the seat left vacant on the board when Mike Dreher resigned last month.
Four candidates have applied for the appointed position.
The board of education discussed Monday items to be scheduled for the Aug. 15 meeting, which included a scheduled visit from Glen Taylor of the WAY (Widening Advancements for Youth) program being launched by the district this year.
The program will target disengaged students in Berrien and Cass counties who, when chosen, will receive free iMac computers and access to participate in the virtual learning program.
As of Monday night, Rich Klemm, director of non-traditional education, said 47 applications had been received.
The district set a goal of 60 students for the program.
Also on the agenda for the Aug. 15 meeting:
• The board is scheduled to set immunization deadlines for the school year
• Tuition rates and board policy updates are also scheduled on the board’s agenda
• Schools of Choice resolution
• A resolution is scheduled for vote for bidding on the Qualified Zone Academy Bond federal loan of $2 million to be used for various projects throughout the district
The board also began discussion on future goals, with Supt. Richard Weigel giving a special presentation on adopting a commonly used practice of 100-day goal setting.
Some of the suggestions made by Weigel for board goals included K-12 data teams; effective use of the K-12 Collins Writing approach — a method of instruction to improve student writing skills; and developing a culture of high expectations.
Those suggested goals will move into the board’s student achievement committee for discussion.
“The one thing I wanted to make sure we did as a board this year is set goals,” said President Jeff Curry. “And I wanted to have committees working.”
Trustee Kathy Zeider commented on her support of a developing goals as a board.
“I like the idea of everyone being on the same plan,” Zeider said.
The Niles Community Schools Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Westside Administration Building.