Centre students, staff to get more technology
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At its Monday meeting, the board of education of Centre USD 397 approved purchase of additional technological equipment at a cost of $52,839.
The purchase will be made using a federal REAP (Rural Education Authorization Program) grant of $23,978 plus district funds.
The package includes 18 laptops for teachers, 15 laptops for student use, seven classroom projectors, four document cameras, and four printers.
The board also approved purchase of a 53-passenger bus from Midwest Bus Sales, Bonner Springs, for $69,142.40 with the trade-in of a 1996 bus. Jennifer Kassebaum abstained.
Ron Mille, head custodian at Centre High School, received approval of expenditures of approximately $3,000 to repair two lawn mowers.
A xylophone for the band department was purchased for $1,770.
Board member Steve Jirak brought up a matter of interest.
"Where are the band uniforms?" he asked.
They were purchased for $15,000 about six years ago and have been worn very few times. Jirak wondered if something could be done with them. Superintendent Jerri Kemble said she would look into the matter.
The board approved the resignation of Terri Turley as assistant cook at the high school.
Summer sports camps
The following sports camps have been scheduled for this summer at the high school: football, July 21-25; volleyball, June 9-13 or late July; girls' basketball, June 2-6; and boys' basketball, May 28-30.
After an hour-long executive session including principal Nadine Smith and Kemble, the board:
— approved a list of classified personnel, except for transportation director Don Zaideman, for the 2008-09 school year and awarded them a two percent pay increase. The 4-3 vote came on a motion made by Brunner and seconded by Jirak. Brent Methvin, Kassebaum, and Julie Klenda were opposed.
Prior to that action, a motion by Kassebaum to approve the list as presented died for lack of support, and another motion by Methvin and seconded by Klenda to approve the list and grant a two percent raise to everyone except the transportation director failed in a 2-5 vote.
— approved a list of supplemental duties and pay schedule for the 2008-09 school year. Jennifer Kassebaum was opposed.
— granted a two percent raise to the superintendent and principal.
"We're very pleased with your service," said board president Jesse Brunner.
Kemble reported continued roof leaks in two places at the high school site after $1,000 was spent for repairs. Board member Mark Heiser suggested Kemble contact the architect.
Kemble announced that school will be dismissed at ll:45 a.m. May 23, the last day of the school year. There will be no noon lunch.
The June meeting of the board was changed to June 6 because Kemble and Smith will be at a national conference on the scheduled date of June 9.
