William Lockschmidt, pictured above, presented plans to install a disc golf course on Triad school grounds during the Board of Education meeting Thursday night. Board members were in support of his project. (Photo submitted)
Triad Local Schools could soon be getting a disc golf course, courtesy of a local Boy Scout.
During Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, William Lockschmidt presented plans for his Eagle Scout Project to school officials.
He said he was inspired by Middle School Principal Doug Lowery to build a disc golf course on school grounds.
“I dedicate this project to Mr. Lowery because he made me feel special and important,” Lockschmidt said.
In order to build the course, he said he would need to fundraise approximately $3,300. The amount would cover the cost of materials and necessary tools.
To raise the money, he said he plans to meet with local businesses and ask them to sponsor holes for $400. Each hole would then have a sign advertising which company or organization sponsored it.
Lockschmidt said the course would be located in a grassy area between the middle and high schools.
It would consist of a minimum of nine holes, but he said he hopes to exceed to fundraising goal and create up to 18 holes.
He said he also has plans to meet with local disc golf companies or teams to get advice regarding the design of the course.
Once plans are finalized, he said the course would take between two and three weekends of work to install.
Superintendent Vickie Hoffman, Treasurer Connie Cohn and each board member were in support of his plans.
Board member Matt McConnell also offered to use his personal tractor and auger to help Lockschmidt install the posts for holes.
Board President Chris Millice asked Lockschmidt to return to a later board meeting with completed plans.
In other business, the board:
– Heard an update regarding Triad Middle School from Lowery. He said 264 students are enrolled, a few less than last school year.
He said the first quarter of classes recently ended and grade cards will be distributed next Friday.
Additionally, he said this year will feature the first National Junior Honor Society inductees since 2011. He said there were 36 candidates, of which 23 will be inducted on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the middle school gym.
– Heard an presentation from Morgan Fagnani, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, covering the district report card grades.
Overall, Triad Local Schools’ ranking, when compared to other districts, has increased.
Triad has improved to second place in the county, tied for fifth in its conference and tied for sixth in a state comparison of 20 similar districts.
Fagnani said the district will emphasize improvement in K-3 literacy scores, as that is an area Triad struggled with.
“Other districts are doing really well here, but we’re not doing what we need to do yet,” she said.
She said she is happy with the growth Triad is experiencing and expects to see further improvement in the future.
– Approved a resolution that would permit Roth 457(b) contributions in district employees’ retirement plans.
– Learned from Hoffman that the district is currently completing an instructional audit. Once finished, she said she will provide updates as to which areas the district will focus on improving.