Centre insurance premiums up 34 percent years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At its April 14 meeting, Centre USD 397 Board of Education approved a Blue Cross/Blue Shield district-wide health and accident insurance plan which boosts premiums by 34 percent. It also increases the individual deductible to $500 from $200.
The single premium rate will rise from $178.28 per month to $238.82. Family coverage will rise from $548.47 to $734.35.
The board accepted two framed documents, the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, donated by Tampa American Legion Post #372. Joe Nowak and Robert Novak made the presentation earlier at the district office. One document will be placed on display at each site.
"They are valuable as a ready reference as well as an education display," said Superintendent Demitry Evancho.
The board spent considerable time discussing budget matters, as reported in the previous week's issue of this newspaper. They voted to send a survey to patrons to gauge their sentiment regarding increased revenues through various student fees and decreased costs through selected cuts in activities.
Evancho reported that Horn Bros., Inc. Construction Co. has accepted May 26 as the starting date for a complete re-roofing of the original Centre High School building.
According to the president of the company, the project will take about one month.
The board spent 45 minutes in executive session to discuss certificated staff negotiations. Evancho, Principal Neal Weltha, and Clerk Peggy Falen were included. They met later for another 10 minutes. No action was taken upon re-opening.
The board approved attendance of Valjeta Kosumi of Kosovo as a foreign exchange student at Centre High School the next school year. Kosumi will be classified as a junior and will live with the Marcus Carlson family of Lincolnville.
The following field trips were approved: 1) May 1 — seventh grade class to Eisenhower Center and Seeyle Mansion, Abilene at an estimated cost of $140 for admission fees to the mansion; 2) April 29 — eighth grade class to state Capitol and Kansas State Historical Museum, Topeka at an estimated cost of $25.
Personnel changes
Resignations were accepted from the following, effective at the end of the school year: Bill Broce, bus driver; Lisa Beye, high school assistant volleyball coach; Ruth Hamm, Title 1 teacher; Ryan Rose, industrial technology instructor.
The board authorized a half-day contract for instructor Nancy Brockmeier, at her request, for the remainder of the school year. She was on six weeks maternity leave until April 7 after giving birth to twins.
Ryan Rose will be an assistant junior class sponsor for the remainder of the year.
Martin Combs was employed as assistant custodian beginning April 10. Starting rate of pay is $8.25 per hour.
Employment of temporary summer help was authorized, allowing up to $8,919 in wages and fixed charged.
Newly-elected board members, Mark Heiser and Jesse Brunner, were in attendance and were recognized along with current board members Leona Hajek and Clark Davis, who were re-elected. The new members will be installed in July.
Renewal of a cooperative agreement with the Newton school district to provide vocational education opportunities to Centre students was adopted.
The TEEN interlocal agreement also was adopted.
After five minutes in executive session with Evancho and Weltha to discuss a student matter, the board in open session voted to provide out-of-district vocational services for an unnamed student.
Continued membership in the Kansas Association of School Boards was approved at a cost of $3,061. A $900 payment to the Legal Assistance Fund, a separate service of KASB, also was approved.
A final draft of the 2003-2004 school calendar was submitted for review. If approved as presented, the first day of classes will be Aug. 15, and the last day will be May 27.
Evancho reported his intention to continue the district's participation in the Parents as Teachers early childhood program. Next year's cost, $1,836, will provide service to 10 children in a countywide-sponsored plan.
Principal Weltha announced selection of CHS cheerleaders for the 2003-2004 season as Jill Fenske, Dani Hatfield, Shaina Makovec, Krista Heiser, Selena Seifert, and Leigha Antoszyk.
Counselor Lacy Wallace submitted a report showing that new freshmen and continuing students at Kansas State University have attained a higher GPA average than the general student population.
Written reports were submitted by Treasurer Peggy Falen, special education representative Clark Davis, and TEEN representative Leona Hajek.
Evancho announced an articulation agreement with Manhattan Technical College has been reached to provide business and computer technology training.
