Schools

School Notes: Winterfest Refunds, Board of Education Meeting

The checks are in the mail for the canceled dance, and district officials are shooting down rumors that the school board met in secret.

Winterfest refunds are now going out to students, according to Scott Rolando, Lakeland students activities director and teacher.

The dance was  earlier this month after only 80 tickets were sold. Part of the reason for the low sales number, according to staff and students, was the notice given to students that would be strictly enforced.

If a parent or student paid for a ticket by cash or check then a refund should come on Friday, when the money or check will be returned to the student whose name was listed on the receipt.

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For tickets purchased through PaySchools, the district's business office is working with the company to refund costs back to the credit/debit card or via e-check. The district is waiting for a reply from PaySchools to ensure this is possible. If it isn't, the district will mail refund checks to the address of the person who purchased the tickets.

Board meeting

In light of Wednesday's events at Lakeland High School, the school board dialogue scheduled for that night was canceled. Rumors were circulating Thursday that the board met in secret to discuss a middle school reconfiguration plan. The district is now addressing those rumors.

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"We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience caused by canceling the meeting. However, we take seriously our responsibility to ensure the safety of students and staff," Janet Roberts, director of community relations, said Thursday. "Just to clarify, no meeting was held and no vote was taken last night."

The meeting will be rescheduled at a date and time still to be determined.

On Wednesday, the was called to the school for two separate, unrelated incidents. The first involved a detector, and the second a small fire in the LGI room.

"Providing a safe environment for our students, staff and community within our buildings is one of our highest priorities. Last night, the board meeting and all building activities were canceled as a precaution," Roberts said. "Both were unrelated,  and at no time were students or staff in danger. The building was cleared so that our maintenance team could conduct a thorough sweep of Lakeland before resuming regular building activities."

The district will hold a public forum Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Milford High School to provide more information on the fifth- through eighth-grade middle school configuration. According to Roberts, the district has received several calls and questions on the topic.

More information has been posted on the option, which could result in the closing of Brooks Elementary School.

"Prior to last night’s scheduled meeting, administration met with the Brooks staff to inform them that if the board voted to adopt the five-eight model, it could result in closing their building for the 2012-13 school year," Roberts said, with emphasis on the word "if."

If a decision is made to close a school, Roberts said the next step will be to meet with parents and plan for a transition.


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