By Ralph Echtinaw

The school board’s meeting Monday was probably the shortest of the year at 15 minutes, but a few notable morsels of news emerged.

Board members approved the retirement of Nikkari Elementary Administrative Assistant Julie Peterson after 25 years with the school district. 

Board members approved the resignation of varsity boys track coach Jay Puffpaff, who held that position for 14 years. “Jay would like to spend more time with his family,” Superintendent Jennifer McKittrick said. “He will continue to coach the cross country team.

Board members approved the hiring of Julian Paksi as middle school Student Success Coordinator. Paksi is also the varsity football coach.

Second graders at Carrie Knause Elementary made 47 blankets that were donated to residents at the Schnepp Senior Care and Rehab Center of St. Louis. “We had an opportunity to bus them over and actually hand out (blankets) to the residents,” McKittrick said. “It was very heartfelt. And then a few days later the (high school) wood shop students came over to (Carrie Knause) and gave (students there) the wooden toys they made. And so second graders started talking about generosity and how sometimes when you give it’s returned.”

Wooden toys were also given to students at Nikkari Elementary and two elementary schools in Ithaca (North and South). High school wood shop students under Phil Maxwell made more than 1,000 toys all together.

Wrestling coach Kevin Kuhn recently earned his 300th win.