USUSD 410 board endorses student entrepreneurship

The USD 410 Board of Education gave a thumbs up to student entrepreneurship at its regular meeting Sept. 14 by approving a policy for student-led businesses operating within the district.

The policy established guidelines for students starting and closing businesses as well as clarified financial aspects.

Businesses managed by Hillsboro High School students will be overseen by a staff member and the district obtains all rights to those businesses.

?It?s our attempt to be more systematic,? said Clint Corby, principal of Hillsboro Mid?dle/High School.

Corby and Nathan Hiebert, who teaches business for USD 410, presented the proposal to the board. The intent of the program, they said, is to give hands-on experience in teaching students about running a business.

?Kids are eager to be involved,? Corby said.

Building administrators Corby and Evan Yoder, Hillsboro Elementary School principal, gave their quarterly reports to the board.

In his first year as principal, Corby said he wants to focus on the BOE strategic plans to put people first, support educational needs of students?especially in the arts?and foster parent/community collaboration by regularly distributing an electronic newsletter.

Corby said enrollment for HMHS was down by one student.

Yoder said he thought the year was off to a good start.

?The new playground has made a big difference,? he said.

He also said the walking school bus is working out with good participation in the mornings. Yoder said he wants to encourage students to walk home as well.

Corby also presented a proposed change in the HMHS tardy policy?six tardies per semester and a 30-minute detention for every tardy thereafter. Action will be taken next month.

Superintendent Steve Noble reviewed for the board a number of organizational policies established by Kansas Association of School Boards.

Other business

In other business, the board:

? approved attendance for three teachers and one administrator for the National Project Lead the Way Summit in Indianapolis, Ind., in March. The cost is estimated to be $4,700 for professional development. Attendance will further enhance teachers? skills in PLTW, Noble said.

? approved graduation requirements of 21 credit hours for an HHS diploma through the TEEN Virtual Academy, which meets the Kansas minimum graduate requirement. To walk in graduation, Noble said, students must earn 26 credit hours, which is the requirement for ?brick-and-mortar? students.

Most enrolled at TVA are adult-degree completion, he added.

? approved out-of-state trips for the National FFA Convention in October to Louisville, Ky., and the 2016 National TSA Conference in summer to Nashville, Tenn.

? met in executive session for matters of personnel.

Back in open meeting, the board accepted resignations by Tracy Breeze as HES cook and Phil Oelke as HMS StuCo/Renaissance sponsor; approved work agreements for Marlene Klassen as HES cook and Jennifer Rader as HES preschool cook; and approved supplemental contracts for Gita Noble as HMS StuCo/Renaissance sponsor and Nathan Hiebert as Career and Technical Education sponsor.

Tags from the story
,
Written By
More from Aleen Ratzlaff
Middle schoolers have fun using their talents
What began as helping to spread the word about a library reading...
Read More