Centre board explores goals
At a special meeting Monday, the board of education of Centre USD #397 discussed immediate and future needs and/or goals of the district. The four areas identified were facilities, staffing, student achievement, and school finance.
After reviewing a roof analysis report prepared by inspector John Swarm of Tremco, a roofing materials company, it was obvious to everyone that the roof on the 1993 classroom addition at Centre High School is in need of immediate replacement.
The rubber roof is 10 years old and carries a 15-year warranty. However, according to Superintendent Demitry Evancho, the company which installed it is no longer in business. The parent company claims the roof has a cut in it, which negates the warranty, Evancho said, but photographs of the roof reveal split seams, not cuts.
Swarm reported the seams are shot and pulling apart and any remaining warranty, if honored, might get the seams fixed. However, wet insulation and other damage caused by the leaks will not be covered.
Swarm submitted photographs which clearly showed the damage.
He recommended the roof be replaced as soon as possible, before cold weather sets in and snow falls. He estimated the cost to be between $43,000 and $48,000.
Board member Jennifer Kassebaum expressed her opinion that the warranty should be honored. She and other board members encouraged Evancho to pursue warranty enforcement.
The board also agreed that a maintenance program on the elementary school roof is preferred over extensive repair and replacement due to the age of the building and the situation with the 1993 CHS roof.
Action was reserved for the regular board meeting this coming Monday.
Board members agreed to explore options regarding possible updating and consolidation of school facilities in the future.
Staffing
In the short run, the board may be looking at a search for a new superintendent if Evancho decides to retire at the end of the school year. His contract expires June 30.
Board member Jesse Brunner asked if it's normal not to know a superintendent's intentions until late in the school year. Kassebaum said the board has to honor the superintendent's contract and must be prepared to go either way.
The board agreed to have future discussions about such things as possibly having just one administrator or making other personnel and staff changes.
Student achievement
"Student achievement falls back on the school board," said board president Leona Hajek.
Members discussed the No Child Left Behind initiative. High school principal Neal Weltha encouraged them to incorporate teacher training into their long-range goals. He said well-trained teachers are essential to achieving academic progress.
Evancho said the board's philosophy needs to be to provide as high a level of education as finances allow.
School finance
Evancho submitted a chart showing the estimated enrollment for the next five years. Reductions are expected each year, from 266 this year to a possible 218 by the year 2008-2009. These reductions will reduce the board's spending authority.
Kassebaum said board members need to communicate with people in their communities about the financial needs of the district and assure them that tax dollars aren't being wasted.
The board spent additional time discussing facilities. Principal Weltha reported that he is doing a graduate project on the district's facilities. It will incorporate future demographics (student numbers), available space, and suggestions for alternative uses of space.
"I hope the project will be significant enough that you can use some of the information," he said.
Each board member was asked to identify specific items to be addressed within the four major categories. They will submit their listings to clerk Peggy Falen, who will tally them and arrange them in order of priority.
The only action item of the evening was the board's approval of a $85,912.02 premium payment on a district property and liability insurance policy. The premium is lower than the current year's by $494.90.
Kristy L. Balthazor of Investors and Insurers was present to explain the policy's provisions.
Still pending is a policy covering school leaders professional liability. The current carrier has discontinued such coverage, so a new one is being sought. The policy expires Dec. 14.
The board spent 25 minutes in executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Clerk Falen was called to join them for several minutes. No action was taken upon returning to open meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. The regular monthly meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the elementary school library.
