By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

In a 6-1 vote Monday, the USD 397 Board of Education approved a resolution to temporarily close the Lost Springs school building at the end of the school year. The action came at the beginning of its regular monthly meeting after a 40-minute hearing with constituents.

Jesse Brunner opposed approval because he thought patrons should be given another month to contact their board members and express their views.

Bud Peterson felt the same way but went along with the majority.

“The people who were really concerned about it were here tonight,” board member Jeff Bina said.

Superintendent Jerri Kemble pointed out that every parent got a letter.

President Brent Methvin said the board has been talking about it for a long time and needed to move on.

Clerk Peggy Falen said there is nothing the board can do to change the fiscal situation.

“There are no alternatives to raising the money,” she said.

Two teachers, Tana Riffel and Lynley Remy, said they were ready to start thinking about the transition and planning for it.

“I was shocked at first,” Remy said. “But then I thought, ‘OK. Let’s get rolling!’”

Other business

The board accepted the resignation of science teacher Chad Tischhauser, effective at the end of the school year. They expressed appreciation for his 12 years of service to the district.

“He’s been a great asset to the school district,” Brunner said, “and has been a big help with technology.”

Tischhauser is returning to the family farm and seed business near Wilsey.

Kelly Steiner was hired to assist Alan Stahlecker in track.

Briana Methvin was reassigned from her current pre-kindergarten position to first grade teacher for next year.

Marci Shearon and Cat Palmer of Wichita State University worked with the board for almost an hour on developing a strategic plan. Together, they identified six areas in which to set goals: character education, curriculum, transition, facilities, communication, and instruction.

Lori Soo Hoo presented a report on Parents as Teachers. She shared feedback from parents on the benefits of the program. Currently, 12 families and 13 children in the Centre school district are served by PAT.

The board approved the 2010-11 PAT assessment of $3,012, with the understanding that they may revisit the issue if state grant funds are not forthcoming.

The board approved a $4,500 contract with Clubine and Rettele for auditing services. The fee is $200 more than the previous year, reportedly because of the need to audit stimulus funds received from the federal government.

The board approved a district Blue Cross/Blue Shield group health plan for the year beginning May 1. Premiums will increase just .26 percent. New rates are single, $329; employee/children, $621; employee/spouse, $707; and employee/family, $989.

Because more students than previously estimated are in the kindergarten-12th-grade at-risk category, the board approved the need to republish the at-risk budget at $155,000. It originally was set at $123,100. The money for the program comes from the state.

The board spent a brief executive session with Kemble to discuss negotiations with teachers.

Terry Deines requested a 10-minute executive session to discuss special education.

Kemble reported she is addressing the problem of a warped floor in the 1993 gym.

She said she had a meeting March 2 with families from Ft. Riley who live in the district. At least 21 individuals from three families attended. All three families said they found houses on the Internet. Several other families are interested in moving into the district if they can find houses to rent.

Kemble said she recently dealt with a student issue relating to safety and security. She said the district’s policies gave her the latitude to deal with the situation.