WHS Baccalaureate service planned for Saturday

As the academic year comes to a close, the Wayland Union school district has a variety of events and responsibilities to handle.

Supt. Norm Taylor noted that public schools’ no longer are in the business of dealing with Baccalaureate ceremonies, area churches are organizing the service for 5 p.m. Saturday, May 22, at the Wayland High School Fine Arts Center. The Rev. Jeff Williams of the First United Methodist Church will be the speaker.

Baccalaureate in bygone days was sponsored by the schools, but these days is considered an optional ceremony because of its religious nature. Students are not required to attend.

Also on the docket this spring is a special public forum Wednesday, June 8, on facility needs assessment, featuring representatives from Tower Pinkster Architects.

School officials have been grappling with some issues with aging facilities falling into disrepair. Most notable is the 41-year-old swimming pool at the high school, which is closed from time to time and is costing plenty money in repairs.

Board Trustee Gary Wood told his colleagues he hopes for a better turnout for this upcoming forum than last fall because the board needs more input from the public about what needs to be done.

“The attendance we’ve had in the past may not accomplish that,” he said.

In other end-of-the-year matters that came before the board Monday evening:

• Taylor announced that sixth-graders starting next fall may be able take part in middle school sports as individuals, but not in team sports.

He said the O-K Conference has decided to permit sixth-graders to compete in track, wrestling, cross-country and swimming.

“Some of these sports could use a little more participation,” Taylor commented.

• The board appears to be ready to approve a three-year employment contract for custodians with GRBS, with an option for two one-year extensions after that. GRBS proposed a five-year agreement with a 2% increase in cost each year because the improving labor market makes it necessary to try retain workers. Taylor said he agrees with the 2 percent increases because they are close to the cost of living.
• The board appears to be ready to approve a two-year pact with Community Caregivers for providing a school nurse, an R.N., at a cost $55 per hour for works days of 6¼ hours.