Most local schools recessed Tuesday last week to observe Veterans Day, some hosting commemorative ceremonies a day earlier in honor of the holiday. As a result, some school districts canceled their regular board meetings in observance of the day.

Here are highlights of local school boards that did take place last week.

At Pioneer Union Elementary School District's meeting on Wednesday, the board presented outgoing trustee Beverly Rodriguez with a plaque thanking her for her years of service on the board and for the the Pioneer district. Rodriguez received 27.13 percent of the votes in the Nov. 4 election, and was defeated by newcomer Linda Carvalho Cooley, who received 36.12 percent of the votes. Rodriguez thanked the board and staff and said she has really enjoyed her four years on the board and the contributions made during that time.

At Wednesday's meeting, Pioneer district Chief Business Official Julie Semas said that because of money saved and working within budget on the Frontier School construction project, the district is able to eliminate some construction debt sooner and reduce the debt payment for the next few years.

The well project at Pioneer Elementary School is under way, Pioneer district Superintendent Diane Cox said at Wednesday's meeting. The contractor on the project -- Travioli Construction -- is drillling a test well, which is at 600 feet deep. The contractor is aiming to locate water that is below the federal arsenic standard of 10 parts per billion. In January, the contractor will move forward with the "real" well by enlarging the test well hole, preparing for the storae tank, piping, fire hydrants and electrical.

The project is expected to be complete by the start of the 2009-2010 school year, with water ready for student and staff consumption. This project is completely funded through Proposition 84, the Water Bond Law Grant, and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which total over $2 million.

At the Armona Union Elementary School District meeting on Thursday, Board President Glenn Estes said that trustees discussed the 2008-2009 Williams Report for Parkview Middle School. Estes said the only complaints were about a few water fountains that weren't working.

Also at the Thursday Armona meeting, district officials discussed upcoming dates for a visit from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, WASC, for accreditation of Crossroads Charter Academy. The WASC team will visit for three days in February, Estes said.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(Nov. 18, 2008)