Team-teaching approved at Centre
Teacher negotiations continue, action on administrators' compensation tabled
Centre USD board members learned at their June 10 meeting about a new instructional strategy to be implemented this fall at Centre Elementary School.
A three-member teaching team of Shirley Gutsch, Staci Hansen, and Phyllis Burns have been assigned to handle approximately 45 students enrolled in the first and second grades.
Each teacher will have a home room of 15 students: Burns, first grade; Gutsch, second grade; and Hansen, a combination of both grades.
The teachers were on hand to explain the new strategy.
Physical education and music will be taught to each entire grade, but students will be grouped for reading and math.
Hansen will reinforce reading skills for students in both grades, supporting initial instruction by Burns and Gutsch.
Each teacher will teach science, health and safety, and social science to their assigned students, but instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic will be priority areas.
"It is anticipated that a greater degree of flexibility will be maintained between the teachers to ensure that the needs of the students are the primary focus," said elementary school principal Demitry Evancho.
The board was supportive of the new arrangement. Jennifer Kassebaum suggested that parents of the students be informed of the change before the school year begins. Evancho said information will be included in the school newsletter.
The board spent 30 minutes in executive session to discuss negotiations with teachers. Clerk Peggy Falen, high school principal Neal Weltha, and Superintendent Evancho participated.
Upon returning to open session, no action was taken. Negotiations continue.
Action on administrators' compensation was tabled.
Ryan Rose was hired as instructor in Industrial Arts and Technology. He is a December 2001 graduate of Pittsburg State University with a B.S. degree in education and a major in technology education.
Rose, whose starting salary will be $26,810, will reside in the district-owned house for the convenience of the district. He will pay $100 per month in rent and will provide security services.
The house, situated on the campus of Centre High School, has been vacant for several months and is undergoing renovation, soon to be completed. Evancho said Rose will take up residency shortly after the Fourth of July holiday.
Dawn Luna, rural Lincolnville, was employed as secretary at the junior/senior high school at $8.25 per hour. Her contract runs from Aug. 1 through the second week in June 2003.
Luna will replace Marianne Wyatt and has been undergoing training since June 3. She formerly served as a special education paraprofessional and was a driver's education aide at Centre.
In other actions, the board
— granted Spellman Construction, Hutchinson, a contract to demolish and replace the main entry/walkway to Centre High School at a cost of $7,800, the money to come from capital outlay.
— approved attendance at CHS of foreign exchange student, Vegim Krelani, for the 2002-2003 school term. The 16-year-old boy from Kosovo will be living with Ronnie and Susan Carlson of rural Lincolnville.
— accepted a bid of $2,728.18 from Baker Furniture & Carpet, Peabody, to replace carpeting in district offices and the K-4 library, the money to come from capital outlay.
Other bids received were from Hillsboro Carpet Center, $2,915.44, and The County Seat, Marion, $3,750.
— authorized a summer junior high volleyball camp to be held at CHS from 8 a.m. to noon July 22. Instructor will be Nancy Brockmeier.
— approved professional development transcripts submitted by Shirley Gutsch, Jennifer Montgomery, and Neal Weltha.
— approved basic benefit and extended catastrophic insurance coverage for all students — sports and non-sports — for a total premium of $4,460.50.
— appointed board member Clark Davis as special education representative and superintendent Demitry Evancho as freedom of information officer.
— authorized continued membership with the Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at a cost of $5,175.75 for the 2002-2003 school term. Services include assistance with school improvement, environment, transporta-tion, crisis intervention, administrative forum, and healthy living curriculum.
The board spent 35 minutes in executive session with Weltha and Evancho to discuss student matters. No action was taken upon re-opening.
Evancho reported on hail damage at the high school. A claim was submitted which included damage to air conditioners, siding, and roofing. An award amount has not been finalized.
High school principal Weltha reported that the seventh and eighth grade math and foreign language rooms will be switched to allow addition of three state-provided computers to the math room.
Weltha said the move will assist teachers in providing more supervised help for students having difficulty in math. In addition, he said, teachers will be available more often to help students use the math skills computer program and can supervise more students doing individual assistance programs.
