Centre amends budget
Due to an increase in enrollment of 4.5 (four full-day and one half-day) students since Sept. 20, Centre USD #397 is receiving additional funding authority from the state.
Based on the formula used to arrive at full-time equivalency, the district has a net gain of 5.2 and will receive $3,870 per pupil, an additional $20,124.
The amended budget will be published and a hearing held prior to the March 11 board meeting before it is formally adopted.
Chase County USD #284, Cottonwood Falls, extended an invitation to Centre High School to participate with them in a varsity baseball program. Chase County would supply all uniforms, equipment, and coaching staff, and practices would be conducted at Chase County.
Under Title IX requirements, the program would be offered to girls who want to play softball, as well as boys. High school principal Neal Weltha said five boys and 12 girls indicated an interest in the program.
After much discussion among board members and administrators, the board rejected the invitation. They cited transportation concerns, cost, and the negative impact on the CHS track program as the main reasons for the rejection.
Repairs needed
Superintendent Demitry Evancho reported that, after contacting three contractors, he has discovered the simplest renovations on the high school roof and deck could cost an estimated $300,000.
He said custodian Ron Mille believes the roof could last another two to three years with patchwork repairs.
Board president Ronnie Carlson appointed himself and Steve Jirak to work together with the superintendent, including walking the roof, to determine short-term and long-term solutions.
The boiler at the high school is 46 years old and is failing, Evancho reported. He said the 4.6 million Btu boiler has a capacity that far exceeds the needs of the school plant.
He said Gail Makovec, director of buildings and grounds for Holy Family Catholic Church made an offer to the district of a used boiler that is no longer needed by the Pilsen church. Evancho said the boiler is in mint condition but he was informed that it would be difficult to re-assemble after being dismantled and the cost would be prohibitive.
Clerk Peggy Falen was instructed to send a letter of appreciation to Makovec but to regrettably reject the offer.
Evancho presented two options on a new low-pressure system and was authorized by the board to take bids on them.
One option, costing about $35,000, would replace the old boiler with a 2.2 million Btu unit. A second option, costing about $45,000, would replace the boiler with two smaller boilers. Only one would be used except for extremely cold days. Both options would include replacement of the overhead expansion tanks and removal of the old boiler.
Evancho also reported on plans being made to provide more lighting on the south side of the high school and in the parking lot. The plan is being drawn up with the assistance of Flint Hills Rural Electric Cooperative. Jones Electric, Herington, would do the work. The project will be an action item at a future board meeting when details are available.
Other actions taken included approval of :
— CHS foreign language field trips by 23 Spanish students and eight French students to attend performances at the National Theater of Performing Arts, at a cost of $387 in admission fees.
— field trip by the horticulture class to the Home and Garden Show to be held Feb. 28 in Wichita.
— summer driver education program. Instructor Bud Peterson will receive $16.50 per hour for approximately 200 hours. Aide Sheri Stahlecker will assist in the classroom in record keeping and testing and will receive $8.52 per hour for a total of $255.60. Twenty-seven students are enrolled.
— Professional Development Plan credits of 87 points for Tambra Owens.
Executive sessions
Several executive sessions were held during the evening.
The board spent one hour and 15 minutes discussing a parent/student complaint brought by Lynn and Peggy Kleiber and their daughter, Amanda. Administrators and the Kleibers were asked to join the discussion some of the time. No action was taken when the meeting was re-opened.
Twenty-five minutes were spent in evaluating the superintendent's performance. Evancho was called in during the last 10 minutes.
The board spent 30 minutes in closed session with administrators and Clerk Peggy Falen to discuss certificated staff negotiations.
Board member Jennifer Kassebaum, governmental relations representative, reported meeting with several state legislators. She said their remarks regarding school funding were not encouraging.
Evancho reported that the district's insurance broker, John Lohmeyer, has quit his job with Insurors and Investors, Inc. Ron Dupy and Kristy L. Balthazor are taking his place and will continue working with the district.
Board member Clark Davis reported that he will be a presenter in a seminar on "Religion in Public Schools," to be held March 6 in Topeka for Kansas Association of School Boards members.
