Superintendent's Message for October 2023

Hello Charger Nation!

September leaves us with great memories and photos of our wonderful homecoming tradition at Chariton.  I can safely say, “Nobody does it better”.   This one contained some special added features, such as the rededication of Bob Cain Track and Reynolds Field. It was great we could once again honor these two great men who served our community and students so well.  As many of you know, we are also celebrating the 100th year of our current high school.  It was nice the homecoming committee included this in our community-wide assembly.  Finally, our homecoming king and queen were crowned and what a tough decision our students had due to the talents and wonderful characteristics of our candidates. Congratulations to Roman IIyenko and Leah Chandler for being crowned king and queen of the 2023 Homecoming celebration.  

Another wonderful tradition of our school is the induction of our alumni into the Chariton Hall of Pride and the Chariton Hall of Fame.  This year Charles “Chaz” Allen was inducted into the Chariton Hall of Pride while Joe Oxenreider, the late Gabe Ruepke, and Ivy Swarthout was inducted into the the Chariton Hall of Fame.  Congratulations to all of these outstanding Chariton alumni and their families. 

School Business and School Board Highlights 

The CCSD School Board approved a request for modified allowable growth and supplemental aid for our special education deficit for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.  Each year the district must make an application to the School Budget Review Committee (SRBC) for modified allowable growth and supplemental aid in order to receive funding for our special education program and deficit.  This request is part of the Certified Annual Special Education Supplement required by the Department of Education.  The amount of the deficit for FY 2022-2023 was $255,820.08.  Along with this funding source they also passed the Limited English Proficiency allowable cost for a total of $8,473.  Both of these measures allow us to recover funds from the State that otherwise would not benefit our school. 

Our School Advisory Committee Members (SIAC) for the 2023-2024 school year have been chosen and approved.  This committee is vital for the growth and success of our school.  Members' names can be found on this month's board agenda on our website.  I want to publicly thank them for dedicating their time and efforts to our school.

In athletic news - we have entered into a sharing agreement with Wayne Community Schools for girls wrestling.  We are happy they are joining our team.  This is helpful for us filling open weight classes as well as making our practices more competitive. We feel the sharing agreement helps both schools move forward in this growing sport. Welcome Wayne CSD to our wrestling family.

Finally, a public hearing was held for public comment regarding the Chariton Middle School Water Mitigation Project.  Our group of consultants have been working hard on this project and recommend this be done to help remove the trapped water under the school.  The school board accepted the bid from Joiner Construction at a cost of $599,642.  Substantial Completion Date of 12/31/2023 and Final Completion Date 5/15/2024 was agreed upon.  

Please visit our school board agendas on our website for the entire agenda and minutes of our meeting. You can find them by going into our website, hovering over the District Tab, then clicking on School Board.  

Celebrations

Our students do many different things to stay active in our community and school district.  We are blessed to have them share their talents with us.  Our school tries very hard to meet the interests of our students in all extra curricular activities we offer.  Below are some pictures of our high school students enjoying the activities they love to do.  

GO CHARGERS and THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker  #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us

Twitter -  @Super_Charger