ROYAL CITY — Last month, 17 Royal School District staff members went to visit the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, during a rescheduled regular board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Royal School District Superintendent Roger Trail updated the board on the trip.

“I am so proud that our board has been so supportive of the professional development we are providing for our staff,” Trail said. “Our staff really appreciated having the opportunity to observe teachers in one of the best middle schools in the country.”

The Ron Clark Academy is known for dividing its students into houses, for the Amazing Shake and for inspiring students to become confident leaders. Already, the Royal Intermediate School has implemented ideas from the Ron Clark Academy, including houses and the Amazing Shake.

“We look forward to potentially taking more staff to this remarkable place in the future and would also like to consider bringing a board member along to join us,” Trail said.

In other business, Trail told the Royal School Board that the scheduling of the gym and meeting rooms during the construction process and beyond is progressing. The district will be doing the scheduling electronically. This new scheduling method interacts with electronic locks that will allow building users to quit using rocks and other items to prop doors open.

“We still have a few kinks to work out, but I am excited about how this is beginning to work and will work in the future,” Trail said.

Design West was present at the board meeting to present some designs for the middle school and high school construction.

Red Rock Elementary School construction is entering the final phases. Both the cafeteria and kitchen are operational. Currently, construction members are working evenings to finish the punch list. The district is hoping that the inside of the building will be completely finished by spring break. There are also a few outside projects that can’t be completed until evening temperatures are consistently above 40 degrees.