The main focal point at the April regular school board meeting was preparation for the 2025-26 school year. A school calendar was proposed, reports were given, and recommendations for hires were made.
School Calendar
The school calendar for the 2025-26 school year has been proposed. Some changes include having a shorter spring break, a Friday with two days of two-hour early outs for conferences, and a Friday off for Easter break. The tentative start date is August 25th, and the ending date is May 22nd. Conferences this year will be the last week of October and the third week of February. Thanksgiving break will again be the Thursday and Friday in the last week of November. Christmas break will begin on December 24th and last through January 2nd. Spring break will be the Thursday and Friday in the second week of March. Finally, the last break until summer will be the Friday off before Easter in April.
Superintendent report
Concerning ISASPS, the school has made accommodations for nonnative English-speaking students. To take the test, the school requires students to sign a paper. This paper was translated into Chuukese, Spanish, and Chinese.
In terms of the cell phone policy, it was passed through the state. Johnsen is waiting on an update from the IASB to evaluate its standing in our school, which will currently go into effect on July 1st. When this happens, the school board is going to discuss the changes.
The District hired a new SRO Officer named Ben Sandy. He will be job-shadowing the Harlan SRO officer and attending conferences to prepare for the job. His term started on April 7th. He will be seen walking around the buildings and will be available for help.
There was an online threat to the middle school. The school is looking into more safety options. We have applied for a grant to upgrade and improve the safety of our school. The first step is distributing more walkie-talkies for all the teachers.
Fall recommendations for hire
Every year, Andrew Mitchel must rehire sports coaches, volunteers, and helpers for the school. This year, there was a long list of recommendations for hire. This includes football coaches Joe Brummer, Lee Saathoff, Nathan Block, Oran Perkins, Matt Best, Gaylord Shelling, Lucas Mosier, Bryce Smith, and Clint Roland. The rehired for cross country are Dan Vargason, Ashley Mosier, and Paul Iekel. For volleyball, there are Jessica Larsen, Amber Moore, and Naela Block. Cheerleading has three coaches: Katie Hedegaard-Moreno, Julie Phippen, and Katelyn Hadley. The color guard is rehiring Kirsten Blake. Finally, for girls’ swimming, is Cambry Miller. This year is also special as tennis is moving to the Fall, so Mike McDermott is up for rehire.
