Curt Graves, Goessel junior and senior high school principal, and Justin Coup, high school teacher and coach, had met with Bethel College staff to develop a character-education program that will be used in all extra-curricular activities.

"I want it to be something that's applied, that's lived out, not just lessons to be done," Graves said.

Board member Dewayne Voth said, "I think it's a good idea."

Referring to the school year just completed, Graves said graduation, eighth-grade promotion, awards night, reward trips and the spring concert were successful events.

"It was a positive school year," he said.

Graves said he had ordered Standard of Excellence banners that will be hung in the cafeteria.

"We'll be able to show off our academics," he said.

New statistics can be added in subsequent years.

Superintendent John Fast discussed capital outlay projects with the board, which determined that the bus lane in front of the high school is the highest priority at this point.

The board approved the bid submitted by Preferred Builders of Hesston for $22,636.

Also high on the list of priorities is the computer lab. It was noted that the high school computer lab is the most outdated of all the school labs.

Fast said laptops would give greater flexibility. Forty are needed; four of them would likely be paid for with Red Wheel fund-raising money.

Board member Maynard Knepp suggested that a certain amount of money be set aside each year for computers.

Graves added, "We have a significant need for teacher work stations."

The board approved the purchase of computers from Two Trees for $52,720, with some of that amount to be paid from Red Wheel funds.

The elementary school gym floor was identified as the next priority. Fast showed samples of different flooring options to the board. He would like to gather more information before the board makes a decision.

The parent-teacher organization and recreation commission have offered to help fund a portion of the project.

Fast said the music department needs some new instruments. The department has not requested any for many years. Fast mentioned drums, timpani and tubas.

"We've done a lot of repairs on these instruments," he said, and they all need a lot more work.

Fast had already obtained bids from one music company and said he intends to solicit more bids.

The board plans to wait until July to see how the budget situation will turn out before making a decision about purchasing instruments.

The board discussed another financial need: the remainder of the gas-line repair.

Fast said Superior Gas replaced the leaking gas lines during the school year, but the project now needs to be finished. The previous work cost $18,000 for three-fourths of the lines.

Fast said he is checking prices for finishing the project.

The board also discussed a request for a paint room for woods class.

"It is something we do need to address," Fast told the board.

Much of the painting is currently done outside.

In other business, the board:

-- heard Fast's report that the end of school went well, with an all-school awards program for grade-school students and a recognition for fifth- and sixth-grade students May 26. Game day was that afternoon.

-- voted to hire David Goerzen as high school science teacher and assistant high school football coach. Goerzen had been teaching at Chapman.

-- voted to hire student help, up to 80 hours, at minimum wage for installing the new computers.

-- heard that the high school track boys won their regional meet in May and six students participated in the state track meet.

-- listened to Mickey Harvey and Carol Hines during the public forum time. They expressed concern about the pressure that state assessment tests bring on administration and teachers.

Harvey noted inconsistencies at the state level and the difficult situations teachers deal with in preparation for the state assessment tests. He said the No Child Left Behind mandate makes schools more like a business.

Harvey and Hines offered their support for teachers.

-- heard Chet Roberts' treasurer's report.

"We're in good shape on our cash balances right now," he said, although the cash balance is a little less than at this time last year.

"Food costs were extremely high this year," he said, citing a 10 to 25 percent increase in foods because of increases in production costs and transportation costs.

"There was nothing the food service people could have done differently," he said.

Roberts said it's hard to know how much to budget for utilities. However, he said, "I don't see fuel coming down much."

-- discussed the Simplex fire safety contract. Fast said, "They have a corner on the market."

Board clerk Patsy Schmidt added, "It keeps going up every year."

-- saw a sample of the basketball sideline chairs that will be purchased by businesses for the school. The seats and backs are white with blue trim and blue lettering and bluebirds.

-- approved the purchase of fourth- and fifth-grade English curriculum from Houghton Mifflin for just over $2,000.

-- discussed bus options. Fast said a new bus will probably not be purchased this year. He plans to take a bus driver with him to look at used buses to see what is available for future purchases.

-- heard that summer cleaning is under way at both schools, as well as routine maintenance projects.

Lisa Howard is helping Londell Duerksen at the elementary school. Lyle Christ was hired to help Norman Schmidt at the junior/senior high school.

During the school year, Christ will work after school and into the evening, about 25 hours a week.

-- was told that 36 people attended the community meeting that was sponsored by the ministerial alliance. Fast said the meeting was very positive. He hopes to continue communication with the city.

There was talk of comparing the Goessel school system to "private school education without all the costs."

-- heard board member Richard Drake's report on the Marion County Special Education Cooperative. He said five certified staff had resigned, two of them at Goessel. One more still needs to be hired at Goessel.

He said the co-op is now using a health debit card as a benefit for employees.

"That's a good move," Drake said.

He said the Oasis facility lease with the Marion school district was renewed for $3,000.

-- approved the breakfast waiver.

-- heard Fast's report on the state legislature in regard to school financing. He said the issue is supposed to be resolved by July 1.