Princeton School District To Assess Feasibility Of Drug Testing Program

The Princeton School Board approved a recommendation to increase tuition for new non-resident students to $11,000, but will allow current non-resident students to benefit from a grandfather clause which will maintain the current tuition rate of $6,725. The action was taken during their April meeting. All tuition students who fulfill the Gene Kauffman Scholarship requirements will continue to maintain their eligibility for the scholarship. The Princeton School district says the tuition rate was visited due to the effect of decreased local assessed valuation enrollments at both Princeton and the Spickard School District. Spickard’s School District pays tuition to Princeton for all students in their district extending beyond K-6 students.

Princeton’s School Board plans to review information being researched by school administrator to discuss and assess a drug testing program. Under the program, students in 7th through 12th grades would be required to consent to random drug screenings as a condition of their participation in MSHSAA-sponsored activities or the A+ program. Students who test positive for drugs or violate the screening process may face suspension or exclusion from covered activities. The review and discussion about a potential drug testing program at Princeton will be taken up in May and June.

Princeton School members approved a Summer School Program for this year. A release from the Princeton School District says the summer school opportunity is available due to funding coming from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Summer School Grant. Summer School will be available for K-12 students and will also include Drivers Education.

A Preschool program which includes 3-year-olds for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Currently, Princeton has 12 four-year-old students enrolled for the next academic year. The district’s current space availability allows a total of 22 students for a preschool program.

After a presentation from Athletic Director Mike Schmidli, the board approved extending an invitation to the Mercer School District to join a cooperative agreement for Junior High Softball. The board also discussed potential future coop opportunities. Coach Schmidli’s presentation indicated a potential 25 percent decline in enrollment at Princeton’s Junior High and High School by the 2028 through 2030 school years.

Princeton’s board hired Merideth Ussery for a Junior High/High School Principal position for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

The board reorganized following April’s election. Ron Parson was voted as President. Nathan Evans will be Vice President. Marcie Davis will serve as Secretary. Karla Meinke will be Treasurer.

The board hired Heather Hall as High School Counselor. Extra Duty Assignments were approved to Lori Puls for Testing Coordinator and Kurt Meighen as Trap Team Sponsor.

The board accepted resignations from Wes Guilkey as Assistant Football Coach and Heather Hall as National Honor Society Sponsor.