Staff writer
At least seven students and several parents attended the Centre board of education meeting Monday to show support for re-establishing debate and cross-country teams.
After the board spent time in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, they approved a supplemental duty for Cindy Riedel as cross-country coach for the 2013 season. They stipulated participation of at least four students.
Following statements by Kevin Lewis, Amy Makovec, and Nellie Kassebaum on the benefits of a debate team, the board met in executive session with Jennifer Montgomery for 10 minutes. Upon returning to open session, they approved her supplemental duty as debate coach.
The board employed Andrea Richardson as a part-time assistant cook and Alysia Towey as a route bus driver, contingent on her obtaining a commercial driver’s license. Bus routes have been reduced from five to four, necessitating longer rides for students and increased pay for drivers.
The board approved a change in Superintendent Brian Smith’s contract from a family health plan to an employee/children health plan with the addition of family dental and vision plans.
“These changes will save the district money,” board president Mark Heiser said.
After a five-minute public hearing on the 2013-14 budget at the beginning of the meeting, the board adopted the budget as published. It authorizes a .95-mill increase from the previous year.
Because of an increase in some class sizes, the board approved the purchase of 10 iPad 2s from Apple for $3,790 and an iPad cart not to exceed $2,600.
Bryce Naerebout, a sophomore, and his brother Kyle, a seventh grader, were granted permission to continue to attend Centre schools. The family moved out of the district.
Reporting on behalf of Smith, who was absent because of a death in the family, board clerk Traci Alt announced that 200 people attended a training class Saturday for students and parents involved in the Kansas Online Learning Program sponsored by Centre. According to coordinator Vickie Jirak, the virtual school has enrolled 150 students to date.
Heiser read a letter from 2013 graduate Carrie Carlson thanking them for her Mowrer scholarship award.
In a special meeting Tuesday, the board approved paying Kremeier Production and Operating up to $10,000 to lower the school’s two waste lagoons by 2 feet in response to rain filling them up.