Red Rock Elementary School construction is progressing

by Rachal Pinkerton Staff Writer
| September 24, 2019 11:26 PM

Royal City — Construction continues on Red Rock Elementary School was the report at a regular Royal School District board meeting on Monday, Sept. 23.

“The big thing is we opened,” said David Andra, principal of Red Rock Elementary School. “It was relatively easy, all things considered.”

Roger Trail, Royal School District superintendent, said that vegetation is being planted around the school. The district is hoping that paving will happen as scheduled on Oct. 11. The contractors are reporting that they are on track to finish construction by Oct. 31. However, the district isn’t sure that the date will be made.

“Mr. Andra would be happy if they have the Christmas program in the new gym,” Trail said. “That is the reality of the situation.”

“I’m looking forward to being done,” Andra said. “Let’s kick these guys out of town.”

In other reports, Breakfast After the Bell will start for Royal students in January. The decision to wait to start the program was influenced by the construction at Red Rock Elementary School, according to Kim Mead, director of food services for Royal School District.

All schools are required to start the program sometime during the 2019-2020 school year, as mandated by new state regulations. Schools have three options that they can choose — breakfast in the classroom, grab and go or second chance breakfast. Mead has been working with the principals to figure out which option works best for their school.

Trail said that schools who participated in the pilot of the program have seen a rise in student scores. Dave Jaderlund, principal at Royal Middle School, said that the new breakfast will eat into first period, but that the district has heard that it shouldn’t be a major distraction.

Jaderlund and Adam Yearout, technology director for Royal School District, reported that the distribution of Chromebooks to the students at the Royal Middle School went well.

“I am proud of the way teachers are using them in the classroom,” Jaderlund said.

So far, only one Chromebook has been damaged.

Business Manager Greg Pike reported that the district will be working on their replacement levy this winter. The district is anticipating putting a two-year levy for the 2012-2022 school years on the February ballot. Pike also said that the student count is currently eight students above the budgeted amount for the year.