Staff writer
The Centre parking lot will receive a 2-inch overlay and the elementary school wing will receive a new roof this summer.
The board of education approved both projects Monday. They accepted bids of $131,126 from Surface Protection Services for the overlay and $55,935 from Wray Roofing for the new roof.
The board approved a new curriculum from Edgenuity of Denver for grades six through 12 students who enroll in the district’s Kansas Online Learning Program. Centre will continue to use the Little Lincoln curriculum for online kindergarten through fifth grade enrollees.
Superintendent Brian Smith said the new curriculum will be much cheaper than the Lincoln curriculum and is used by many schools throughout the country.
The cost for the three-year contract is $128,000, with a first-year payment of $54,500.
After Smith reported that the Technology Excellence in Education Network is planning to begin a virtual school program for the 2015-16 year, the board followed his recommendation and passed a motion stating its intent to maintain KOLP as part of USD 397 and not join the TEEN Virtual Academy.
The board adopted a resolution to increase the district’s capital outlay mill levy to eight mills from the current five. Smith noted that the five mills designated for bond and interest will end this year with full payment of the bond, so the net effect will be a decrease of two mills for next year. He said the board does not have to budget the full eight mills, but they could be authorized if needed.
“The finances of the district are in good shape,” Smith said.
Kim Shannon-Shields appeared before the board to request that doors be replaced on the bathrooms and gymnasium in the original building. She read quotes collected from some unidentified teachers and members of the public who complained about the lack of privacy and the noise and interruptions created by flushing toilets and electric hand dryers.
After her presentation, Terry Deines said he has not received a single complaint about the open doorways. Board president Mark Heiser said the board would discuss the matter.
The board met in executive session with Smith for 65 minutes before taking the following personnel actions.
- Passed a resolution to notify Cherie Trieb of their intent to not renew her contract for the 2015-16 school year. She will be sent a signed copy.
- Accepted the resignation of Dani Litke as assistant KOLP coordinator effective May 19.
- Hired new employees for 2015-16 including Kristen Phillips and Alexis Cain as elementary teachers and Jonathan Meyer as a seventh through 12th grade vocational ag teacher.
- In other business:
- Approved a $1,000 payment to head cook Inge Nordstrom for unused sick leave. She will retire at the end of the school year after employment with the district for 25 years.
- Approved the payment of hotel rooms and travel for three students and two sponsors who will attend the Future Business Leaders of America national conference June 29 to July 3 in Chicago.
- Accepted a donation of $500 from Holy Family Parish to be used to help students in need and an anonymous donation of $500 for the drama department.
- Adopted the 2015-16 school calendar. Aug. 14 will be the first day of classes, and May 19 will be the last. The calendar provides 171.25 student days and 10.75 staff development and work days.
- Considered establishment of a preschool program depending on its cost. They approved a motion asking Smith to accept applications and conduct interviews for a preschool teacher. Final action will be taken in May.