The Snowflake School District Governing Board approved the purchase of a fodder machine last week.

The machine grows grass that will feed six head of cattle, taking six days to go from seed to feed, and will reduce the expenditures for agriculture students at Snowflake High School.

Backup material noted that a fodder machine utilizes a type of hydroponics that is climate controlled. Students will load the seed every day in the tray that in six days will be fed to the cows. This will allow students to control vegetation being fed to the animals, and enable varying the diet so animals have the right nutrients implemented in their diets.

In recommending approval of the purchase and in response to a question from board member Jonnie Lewis, Superintendent Hollis Merrell explained that the district has Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology (NAVIT) funds and priority money for the ag program.

Lewis asked for the cost per day.

Merrell did not know, but said, “One thing we’ve talked about is trying to get a solar panel to run the machine.”

In backup material Ag Director Alan Ramage stated, “The only other educational facility using the fodder machine is Cal Poly.”

The cost of the fodder machine is $13,900, plus $2,000 shipping from Montana, and will be included in the Carl Perkins Grant.

The board unanimously approved the purchase of a fodder machine.

In other business March 10, Business Manager Mark Ollerton requested and received approval to apply to the Department of Education for 3,767 absences due to illness and chronic health problems. Ollerton explained that if within the first 100 days of the school year there are greater than six percent absences, the district will be penalized financially and the district has a 6.4 percent rate for that period. Merrell said that legislation is being changed regarding this issue, and they hope this will be the last year they have to do this.

Cari Byrd, who is doing her principal internship at Highland Primary School, made a presentation on the school. She said that Highland is the second biggest school in the district, with 517 kindergarten through third grade students. There are three kindergarten teachers for six classes, six first and second grade teachers, and five third grade teachers. “We have a good staff because we have a great leader,” said Byrd, referring to Principal Alma Yates. She then presented a slide show.