Centre purchases new computer hardware
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
The board of education of Centre USD #397 has authorized the purchase of 14 new computers for $480 each from Integrated Solutions Group, Salina.
In addition, seven 17-inch monitors will be purchased at an estimated cost of $135 per unit. Total expenditure is not expected to exceed $7,665.
The action took place Jan. 12 during the board's regular monthly meeting at Lost Springs.
The computers will be purchased without an operating system installed. Computer technician Russell Hake said he is looking into possibly obtaining a licensing agreement with Microsoft for installing operating systems and software.
The new computers will be placed in the high school business lab, where they are used the most during the school day. The business lab computers will be moved to the computer lab, and the computer lab computers will be placed in classrooms to replace computers that are no longer working or useful.
Hake presented an analysis of the district's computer system. The district owns 117 computers with varying amounts of speed and memory.
Hake said some replacements are necessary because parts almost are impossible to find for some of the older units.
"Russ does an exceptional job of keeping us going with what we have," said high school principal Neal Weltha.
Hake said the technology committee has tried to stretch things out as much as possible.
He teaches mornings and works on technology afternoons. He said he spends three-fourths of his technology time fixing computers and keeping them running.
The board asked Hake to work with the committee to develop a long-term replacement plan to present to the board for budgeting purposes.
Teacher qualifications
Superintendent Demitry Evancho reported on a plan by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to ensure that all public school teachers are "highly qualified."
The new initiative comes as a result of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which requires that all teachers be or become highly qualified by the end of the 2005-06 school year.
Evancho said most of the district's teachers have been determined to be highly qualified, meaning they have the years of experience and amount of education necessary to teach in their assigned academic fields.
Six teachers have completed a form which was sent to KSDE to determine whether or not they meet the requirements. Those who do not will be assisted in developing a plan to become highly qualified.
The board approved seven weeks of disability leave for Librarian Tambra Owens. She has been diagnosed and is receiving aggressive treatment for cancer. In a letter to the board, she said she is responding well to treatments and is looking forward to returning to her "Centre children."
In other actions, the board:
— supported the enrollment for the spring semester of foreign exchange student Giovanni Antonialli and welcomed him to the junior class. Antonialli is from Brazil and lives with Phil and Jamie Peterson of Burdick.
Board member John Garrard cast a negative vote. "I'll follow board policy," he said. The policy limits exchange students to three, but more have been allowed in past years.
— authorized the transportation director to obtain bids from a state bid list and also from local dealers for two nine-passenger vehicles and offer for trade or independent sale a 1993 Suburban, a 1984 Ford van, and a 1995 Chevrolet/Carpenter bus. The board also voted to retain a 1993 Suburban for use as the elementary school utility vehicle.
— tabled a request for purchase of athletic supplies until the February meeting and requested the presence of athletic director Bud Peterson at the meeting. Board member Jesse Brunner expressed a desire to question Peterson about the need for a new blocking sled.
— employed Jim Thompson of Ramona as a regular route bus driver for the remainder of the school year.
— employed Jerry Plett as assistant biddy basketball coach for a compensation of $300.
— authorized a full day of release on Feb. 13 and a half day on Feb. 27 for faculty training and committee work on school improvement.
After the 7-0 vote, board member Jennifer Kassebaum noted that in-service days should be incorporated into the school calendar.
A 10-minute executive session with Evancho, Weltha, and transportation director Roy Houdyshell to discuss personnel, was followed by a request from the board that Evancho review the bus driver job description to make sure it is consistent with state guidelines and present a revised job description for board review.
The board held another 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel. No action resulted.
Twenty minutes were spent in executive session to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations. Evancho and clerk Peggy Falen were called in as needed.
Superintendent Evancho reported replacement of three copiers with updated ones at a total cost of $2,400. The supplier, Modern Office Systems, will continue to maintain each unit. The district furnishes the paper and pays the company 12 cents per copy. A fourth unit will be installed this month at the fifth and sixth grade teacher work area at a cost of $650.
Evancho reported the 1993 CHS roof has been inspected, repaired, and warranty service re-established. He said head custodian Ron Mille reported the repairs were of high quality and should provide a long-term fix. Approximately five years of warranty remain.
