School leaders discuss growing pains at Clear Creek

 Clear Lake School District leaders are as eager and excited to learn the identity of the new tenant in the city’s Industrial Park as anyone. In the meantime, they are making some plans.

 Clear Creek Elementary School Principal Mike Barkley spoke with the School Board Monday night about student numbers and use of space in his school building.
 Superintendent Anita Micich said she was told by city officials the unidentified Fortune 500 company, which is building a massive warehouse facility in the Larry Luker Industrial Park, is projected to result in about 30 percent of its workforce sending children to Clear Lake Schools. That would translate to approximately 60 families.
 “We’re going to be proactive,” said Micich.
 According to Barkley, all classrooms are currently in use at Clear Creek and he expects numbers to continue to grow at the school, which houses pre-kindergarten to grade five students.
This year the district is using four sections of kindergarten. Three kindergarten classrooms have 25 students apiece and one has 24, said Barkley. Based upon that number of students, the district has swung between four and five sections of students. This year, with four kindergarten sections, he suggested the Board consider posting a job for two part-time teachers to be shared among the kindergarten classrooms.
Micich and Barkley suggested the former Sunset Elementary School could provide space for early childhood development classes. Use of the Sunset building could open up four or more rooms if more classroom space is needed for the growing number of students.

Other business
In other business Monday night, the Board elected Mark Tesar as its president for the 2014-15 school year. Chyrl Bergvig will serve as vice-president. The Board will continue to hold its regular meetings on the fourth Monday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in the Administrative Offices of the District.
Superintendent Micich reported the concession area of the new building at Lions Field is expected to be open for the next home football game. Locker rooms have already been put to use, but other finishing touches are still being made this fall.
The Board approved the hiring of Larry Menke and Gary Oehlert as bus drivers. Heather Johnson and Christina Smith were approved as volunteer volleyball coaches.
The Board accepted the resignations of: Carol Pierce, CLHS activities secretary; Jane Coyier, CLHS food service; David Baumann, bus driver; and Drew Hackenmiller, pre-kindergarten para-professional.