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He said the reason for the petition is mostly because it would be more convenient for his children to attend Marshall High School.
Superintendent Melissa Vesser told members the board must approve the petition, which will be sent to County Clerk Ken Bryant for verification before being placed on the April 2010 ballot.
And, "Marshall has to do the same thing," she said. "If both districts vote yes, then the boundary change happens."
She also said this same issue was on the ballot, and failed, in 2001.
Board President Art Madden, who was unable to attend the meeting, provided a letter with his feelings on the issue, which was read by Vice President Mindy Rigby.
"Redistricting will alter much needed resources in the future," he wrote.
Rigby said, "This is something to challenge us again as a district ... so that they'll want to go to Malta Bend."
In her report, Vesser said upcoming school make-up days are scheduled on Monday, Jan. 18, Monday, Feb. 15, and Friday, March 12.
By holding school on those days, she said, "We're current as of today" on making up missed days.
Vesser also said that Malta Bend preschool classes will be cancelled Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12, because the teachers will be attending an education conference and presenting a program about their school.
In the principal's report, Roger Feagan said school attendance from Aug. 20 to Jan. 5 was at 94.58 percent overall, 92.14 percent for high school and 97.01 for elementary students.
But, he said, "We want to try to get over that 95 (percent) mark."
"The parents have been much better this year" about enforcing attendance, he added.
Feagan also reported on his research into the four-day school week as a cost-saving measure. He compiled a list of pros and cons, with the only con being the burden on parents to arrange daycare. Positives include longer instructional blocks, more time for professional development and savings on utilities, food and transportation.
But, "The preschool has to be a five-day program," he said. "We don't want to do anything to jeopardize the preschool."
In other business, the board approved annual evaluations of the Parents as Teachers program and the school's health services. The board also approved two student fundraisers, one for student council and one for the newly begun Youth Empowerment Program.
The board adjourned into executive session after its regular meeting.
Board members Scott Moore, Doreena Forqueran, Casey Klein, Jackie Plattner and Susan Jansen were also present at the meeting.
The board's next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m.
Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net
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MoValDude you should get your facts straight before you post.
Malta Bend offers, football, volleyball, basketball, and track. They have a debate team, academic team, national honor society, student government the same groups as other schools. They have limited resouces but that doesn't lack the amount of education a student can gain. They have college graduates that go on to great things, (Doctors, lawers, teachers etc.) you just don't hear about them. They have teachers and a support staff that teach them what they need to know to survive.
People should do their homework before they move.
Malta Bend School does have a second rate education. Don't miss understand me I think the the teachers do a tremendious job with the money they have. But There are so many opportunities for the children if they went to Marshall to participate in sports other than Baseball and Basketball. They really have a great fine arts program in Marshall. When I went through the MB School System I was so far behind when I went to college that I had to really hustle to get caught up. Plus the district is so strapped with money they can't offer the proper salaries for the teachers and staff.
Several year ago the Board of Education thought that they had sooooo much money that they gave a 100% property tax abatement to MME. Now don't get me wrong MME has been a great supporter of the school but really is that going to pay proper teacher salaries. over the long haul.
And come on dont' you think that the taxpayers in the Marshall School District get more for their money than Malta Bend does at a $1.02 less in taxes per $100.00 in property taxes.
The graduates must compete with kids from larger schools and they must go to Colleges that have student populations greater than 10 times the population of Malta Bend.
Malta Bend is a great little town but don't you think that the children need better!
Outsider, I agree! Malta Bend needs not only the enrollment numbers but also the money. Moving the boundery will HURT Malta Bend badly. The school isn't even a bad place to go, kids get the same education as any where and more one on one attention. Malta Bend has a lot to offer any student that happens to be in the district, it just has a bad reputation.
Didn't the Renards try this a few years ago and wasn't it determined that it would create an "island" within the MB district boundary? That would be a bad precedent for any district to set. I seem to remember that both MB and Marshall school boards rejected the idea. I'm curious...when they moved out there, did they know it was in the MB district? If not, they didn't do their homework. If they did, I assume they thought they could just push this through when the time came. Everyone should play by the same rules. Go to the school in your district or pay tuition to go somewhere else.