The Colton School District Board received an update on playground equipment plans and installation during the meeting on June 25.
The school playground area is shown closed on the evening of July 6 as updates are done on the school grounds. New equipment to be installed will include a geometric dome, a bouncy school bus ride, and a rock climbing wall.
Superintendent Jody Moehrle outlined the equipment will include a geometric climbing dome,be a Hercules rock wall climbing area, a funnel ball game, a four seat spring rider and a school bus spring ride, two swing sets with regular and toddler seats, some uneven bars, and several adjustable basketball hoops.
“I think it’s going to be great,” Moehrle said, adding that all the baskets are adjustable so younger children can use them at a lower level in the summer.
Brad Nilson, Transportation and Maintenance Director, reported that he may use fewer blocks and be able to return about $5,000 of items.
“So far everything seems to be working out really nice,” Nilson shared. “Tomorrow we’ll be just about finished putting concrete and grading it.”
Nilson added that he got a high bid on fencing that included work to remove a fence that’s already been taken down, and he is looking at some other options.
“It’s moving along pretty good,” added Board Member Nick Weber.
The board also approved a resolution to transfer $125,000 from the general fund to the capital projects fund for “paying the bills” as Weber said. The board had previously approved the funding in their budget.
SUPERINTENDENT CONTRACT
The Board approved the superintendent contract for Moehrle for the 2026 school year with a salary of $149,731 plus paid time off and insurance coverage, and a cellphone and ChatGPT stipend. Her salary in 2025-2026 was $136,315 plus vacation along with the same benefits and allowances.
Weber said the only change to the contract from a previous version the board had reviewed included five more days for Moehrle’s term from 240 to 245 days at her request.
“Just because she likes to be here too much, so she can be around a little more,” Weber said, adding that this change also adjusted the pay for the contract.
During discussions about contracts, Board Member Tecla Druffel, shared her concerns about the use of Artificial Intelligence and making sure the school staff are working within ethical and legal compliance guidelines.
“I just want to make sure we are safeguarding student privacy so the settings are set because there is no privileged information with your robot, and we know the data can be shared,” Druffel said. “I do feel like we’re using this tool carefully and I’m sure there are educational trainings on these tools.”
Moehrle said the staff understands the needs for confidentiality.
“There are very delicate areas that we know we can’t be using it for, but the amount of managerial work that we can use that source to increase our productivity is substantial,” she said.
Druffel said the use of AI is “a no brainer” and Moehrle said she agrees about the “fine line and knows very clearly where that is.”
Board Member Ben Moehrle added that the board created an AI policy about three years ago.
During the meeting, the board also:
Adopted the Highly Capable Program Plan as presented to support students who are operating at a high capacity level with screening for second and fifth graders. The superintendent said she will submit a report to the state that the district has the plan, and an updated policy and procedure for screening. Weber shared that the plan can be easily adjusted if the staff see a problem. Business Manager Marsha Druffel said the state funding for the program is based on the school’s full time employee count and provides coverage for a low percentage of students.
Approved contracts for Principal Wendt, Business Manager Cristin Capwell, and for ASB Bookkeeper and Secretary Kati Widman.
Approved the recommendation to hire Courtney Ritchens as assistant junior high volleyball coach.
Approved extended contracts for softball and baseball coaches for post season play.
Voted to approve a boundary line change from 30 feet on one side of the building to 51 feet on the other side of the building. Tecla Druffel asked if the transfer is considered a sale but Jody Moehrle said it is not because it is from one government entity to another. Weber explained that “it’s essentially equal square foot” in the measurements for both transfers.
Approved a surplus sale for $200 for a variety of items.
In her report, Capwell reported that the financial reports “look like they should at this point in the year” and that she’s very close to getting the budget finalized. “We have $125,000 budgeted for the playground, and still have $70,000 for land and capital improvement and $100,000 for the greenhouse,” she said.
In her superintendent report, Moehrle shared that next year’s ruling in baseball will require schools to have safety bases like softball has, which is a second bag to step on at first base. She got a quote for $677 for safety bases that Nilson would like to have ordered so he can put them in this summer. She also shared that Widman received a $4,000 grant for purchasing some extra equipment such as stop the bleed first aid kits.
Jody Moehrle also shared that contract negotiations with the union are moving forward after receiving a few “I would say editorial comments basically” from the district’s legal counsel to the union representatives.
The Board rescheduled their July meeting to Wednesday, July 15, which will include a budget hearing at 6:45 p.m.
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