"USD 410 needs to be an equal partner (with the city and Tabor College)," Mohn said about discussions he's had with city leaders and college administrators regarding use of football and track facilities at Tabor, use of the Sports Complex and the potential for sharing enhanced Internet service.

Board members will have an opportunity to give their input on such topics at next month's board meeting, scheduled for Dec. 12. The meeting will begin at 5 p.m. to allow for an extended time of planning.

"All efforts would be made to limit other items on the (board's) agenda," Mohn said.

Two agreements with the city were renewed at Monday's meeting. The board approved a seven-year shared-use agreement for the tennis courts at the Sports Complex and a five-year agreement for improvements at Memorial Field.

The city and USD 410 will share all improvement costs, including an annual payment of $2,250 for resurfacing the tennis courts and $5,000 per year for outfield fencing and other improvements at Memorial Field.

Donna Fadenrecht, representing the accounting firm of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC, presented the financial audit for the 2004-05 school year.

Fadenrecht reviewed the audit report and highlighted several recommendations for improvements, including having an off-site computer backup as part of record-keeping procedures.

The board voted to accept the audit report as well as the engagement letter proposed by SJH&L to perform financial audits for the district over the next three years.

In his report to the board, Mohn discussed use of USD 410 facilities by the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church, which has been meeting in the buildings since its structure was destroyed by fire in March 2004.

Mohn said the arrangement has followed board policy, which allows non-profit, community-based organizations, such as HMBC, to use the facilities without charge, except for air conditioning.

"I anticipate (the church) will need the building for at least another year," Mohn told the board.

Board members Eddie Weber and Gary Andrews questioned whether the anticipated increase in heating costs should be considered.

Mohn said he would get an estimate before meeting with Darrell Driggers from the church regarding the issue.

In other business, the board:

n heard that the full-time equivalence in the district is 668.9 students, up from the estimated 657.

"Most of the growth is from the Learning Center," Mohn said.

n authorized the superintendent to finalize the purchase of a 2005 van from Hillsboro Ford at a cost not to exceed $20,000.

n decided not to send a board member as a USD 410 representative to the Kansas Association of School Boards scheduled for Dec. 3.

n approved issuing supplemental contracts to Jim Robb, as head coach for Hillsboro Middle School boys' basketball; Layne Frick, as assistant coach for HMS boys' basketball; Carson Greenhaw and Jacob Schenk, as assistant coaches for Hillsboro High School wrestling; Mike Moran, as after-school program coordinator; Debbie Allen, as after-school educator, and Vickie Collins, as after-school assistant.

n reviewed allocations for federally funded Title I, II, IV and V programs and the state-funded At-Risk program. Those numbers totaled more than $214,000.

n heard from business manager Jerry Hinerman that the cost of insurance had dropped slightly from last year.