By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

The Centre school board agreed Monday to delay discussion on establishing a preschool until next spring.

Superintendent Brian Smith said he had interviewed potential preschool teachers and conducted a survey of parents with preschool children, but the district cannot afford a new teacher position given state budget uncertainties.

The board ratified a negotiated agreement with teachers that adds two steps to their salary schedule and provides a .5 percent increase in their base pay.

The new negotiated agreement reduces contract days from 183 to 181. The 2015-16 calendar was updated to reflect a school year that will begin one day later and end one day earlier. The first day of classes will be Aug. 17, and the last day will be May 18.

After an hour and 10 minutes in executive session to discuss personnel, the board accepted the resignation of Cindy (Riedel) Wyatt as cross country coach and Greg Wyatt as high school boys’ basketball coach.

The board approved rosters of licensed personnel, supplemental duties assignments, and classified personnel for the 2015-16 year.

New certified staff members include Amy Harms, Jonathan Meyer, Kristen Phillips, and Wayne Rziha. New classified staff members are Summer Meyer, K-12 teachers’ aide, and Joshua Leach, head cook. A bus driver position is open.

Richard Idleman will be head coach of the high school boys’ basketball team, and Julie Keithline will coach cross-country. The assistant boys’ basketball coach position is open.

At the request of technology director Andrew Linville, the board changed its source for 100 laptop computers for Kansas Online Learning Program from a $40,000 contract with CDI to a $31,600 contract with CDW-G.

An incentives program for adult learners in KOLP was approved. Adults who complete a course will receive $100. For every course they complete after that, they will receive $275.

The board also approved an additional $15,000 for radio ads about KOLP; $85,000 was approved earlier for TV ads.

The board purchased a new reading curriculum for kindergarten through sixth grade for $29,468, and renewed a supplemental online reading program for kindergarten through eighth grade at a cost of $6,950 for two years.

Steve Jirak received a retirement plaque for 12 years on the board. Amber Peterson received a four-year plaque.

The board approved out-of-district attendance of Zachariah Duerksen of Goessel for the 2015-16 school year. He will be in sixth grade.