During the first meeting of the Altoona Board of Education for 2009, the agenda was fairly short and members moved though information quickly.

   Prior to beginning the items on the agenda, President Ed Bohn commented on the great job the school custodial staff has done with the snow removal this winter season. The staff has been extremely busy and Bohn wanted to commend the group for ensuring sidewalks and walking areas have been cleared in a timely manner.
   Superintendent Greg Fahrman reported on the CESA 10 Cluster A Board Workshop, which will be held on Wednesday, February 11 at Osseo-Fairchild Middle and High School. 
   “This will be our third year going to Osseo,” Fahrman said. “There are always very good presentations and a chance to ask questions.” The workshop is sponsored by WASB, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, and will feature presentations by John Forester, Director of Government Relations for the School Administrators Alliance, and Dan Rossmiller, Director of Government Relations for WASB.
   In other action, the board unanimously approved the adoption of a resolution supporting the state of Wisconsin’s goal of replacing 25 percent of its electric power and transportation fuels with renewable resources by 2025. This means that the school district will work on increasing the use of renewable resources in its operations. The idea for energy-independent communities comes from the Office of Energy Independence, which was formed in April 2007 by Governor Jim Doyle. Communities that adopt the resolution will benefit in the form of additional state and federal funding, which they will receive if they are successful in increasing energy efficiency. 
   The next Altoona School District Board of Education meeting will occur at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 19 in the Altoona School District Commons Addition.