Notification letters from Carolyn Long, high school math teacher, softball coach and assistant basketball coach, and from Michelle Faul, assistant girls' high school tennis coach, were reviewed and accepted.

"Carolyn has earned a lot of respect from our students," USD superintendent Gordon Mohn said.

Long, who has taught in the district for 10 years, has accepted a position in the Maize school district for the 2005-06 school year.

The board agreed to issue a teaching contract to Lynn Just to serve as HHS/HMS vocal instructor and a supplemental contract for vocal music and the fall musical production.

Just will succeed David Clark, who is retiring at the end of this school year. She has assisted with several drama productions in the past.

The board also approved a request from kindergarten teacher Tracy Bolt to be issued a half-time contract in order to spend more time with her family.

In accordance with state law, Boldt must resign her full-time position in order to be rehired as half-time.

The board recessed for a 40-minute executive session to discuss personnel.

When the public session resumed, the board approved the renewal of supplemental contracts for persons holding teaching contracts with the district. (See sidebar.)

Vacancies still exist for head softball coach, senior class sponsor, assistant girls' tennis, HHS and HMS Scholars' Bowl advisors, and assistant girls' basketball coach.

Building reports

Activities Director Max Heinrichs said the HHS forensics team will take 18 members to the state meet, the junior varsity softball and baseball seasons are concluded, the girls will host a Class 3A softball regional, the boys baseball will participate in the Class 3A regional at Southeast of Saline and the Mid-Central Activities Association league track meet will take place Friday in Marion.

Heinrichs said KWCH Channel 12 in Wichita had a camera crew and reporter in Hillsboro this week to do a feature on HHS track coach Dennis Boldt and the success of the Trojan program.

HHS band instructor Greg Walker reported on the band's recent trip to Texas, where they earned three trophies, including a "best in show" trophy.

Walker said he had numerous people compliment him on the behavior of the students while at the Texas competition. He thanked the board for its contribution to the travel fund.

HMS teacher Phil Oelke gave a 15-minute presentation on the trip he and wife Debbie made to the Middle East earlier this spring. He thanked the board for granting him an extended leave for the trip.

"I'll be able to use what we saw in a variety of ways, including geography and history," Oelke said. "I just want to thank you again for the opportunity."

HMS principal Corey Burton gave a presentation on the usage of Tech Director via Marratech via camera from another room.

At present, the Marratech service costs the district nothing. Mohn said he wanted to see how the program can be used to benefit the students before proceeding.

Burton reported on an "Electronic Field Trip" presentation to the seventh graders, a new organizer to be utilized on a trial basis for sixth-graders, discussed handbook changes limiting a student's absences to eight per semester, reported the state assessment scores were "very good" and applauded the Site Based Council for the "great job" they do throughout the year.

In other business, the board:

 -- discussed the possible employment of Chris Moddelmog as executive director of Technology Excellence Education Network Interlocal No. 632, Dickinson and Marion County. Historically, one of the school districts in TEEN has employed the director with those costs being reimbursed by TEEN with the contract based on the same 260-day contract as teachers.

-- tabled until fall a proposal to do a feasibility study to address the failing condition of the maintenance building and weight room.

"I've found over the years that dollars you spend on an architect can end up almost saving you money," Mohn said. "This building is a problem we don't need to fix today, but it does need to be fixed. It won't get any better."

-- decided to maintain the current schedule for kindergarten students. Students who are in need of more time for reading, based on consultations with the building principal, kindergarten teacher and parents, will be invited to extend their day.

-- heard from Mohn that the insurance premium from Blue Cross Blue Shield will decrease for the second straight year, this time by $5 per month.

The decrease comes as a result of potentially using $1.5 million of the district's insurance reserve, when in fact the premiums actually increased by 3 percent. Mohn said the district utilizes stop/loss insurance to prevent huge claims.

-- heard from Mohn about replacing steps and sidewalk at the HHS entrance, repairing a portion of the Brown Gymnasium floor that will cost about $8,000 and about the Hesston Intergenerational Childcare Center.

-- heard from Jerry Hinerman, business manager, that the community has made contributions of $37,256 through the year, including various fund-raisers. He also said a payment of $55,838 was made for a 47-passenger bus.

-- heard from member Rod Koons, who represents the board for teacher contract negations, that an agreement has been reached that includes an increase of $250 base salary, from $26,950 to $27,200 per year.

It was also decided to increase the supplemental salary schedule for individuals holding a coaching contract.

Based on preliminary calculations, the board is proposing an increase of 3.07 percent in the compensation package for teachers.