ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA GOERZEN
Goessel agriculture teacher Justin Schrag and science teacher Don Dailey asked three students to demonstrate charter school equipment for the school board at the May 12 board meeting.
Taylor Schmidt, Zane Unrau, and Dustin Thiesen explained the procedure for taking soil samples and testing the samples.
They showed how they create computer-generated field maps for their clients that show what needs to be done to raise better crops.
The students also explained their aquaculture studies that test water for fish. The students expressed appreciation for the educational opportunity and said it will benefit them in college and in their future careers.
Student Ryan Janzen attended the meeting to request open gym immediately after school.
“I believe the students who are not out for a sport should be able to play [basketball] in the gym,” he said.
He said state rules prohibit the presence of a coach, but supervision is required. Janzen pointed out that Goessel does not have a community center and said an open gym would keep students off the streets. He said an average of 15 people lift weights after school.
Board member Richard Drake asked if students use the outdoor basketball facility at the grade school. Janzen said they have occasionally gone to the park instead, but that is not an option in bad weather.
Junior/senior high school principal Stuart Holmes said that Kansas State High School Activities Association rules prohibit students from both lifting weights and playing basketball after school.
Holmes said he had offered an open gym time at 5:30 p.m. instead of right after school so that students who participate in other sports could come too.
Otherwise, it’s not fair to them, he said. It needs to be available to everyone. He said that only one of the 13 schools in the league has open gym after school.
Holmes and superintendent Chet Roberts are both willing to open the gym and supervise at 5:30 p.m.
Board president Lynel Unrau told Janzen: “I’m sure we’ll take it under discussion…. Obviously, you put a lot of thought and effort into it.”
The board discussed the following employee resignations/ appointments:
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The board accepted Jackie Jordan’s resignation as junior high girls’ track coach.
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The board accepted Don Dailey’s resignation as junior class sponsor.
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The board accepted Brian Stucky’s resignation as high school boys track coach, a position he has held for 24 seasons.
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Alan Beneke was hired as the third high school football coach.
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Danielle Deshenes was hired as the junior high volleyball head coach. She will be assisted by Megan Duerksen.
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Jason Maxfield resigned as the Marion County Special Education Co-op’s interrelated teacher at Goessel.
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Roberts announced that Holmes has accepted a position at Hillsboro, where he will teach social studies and coach cross country and track.
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Darla Meysing was appointed to the Goessel Recreation Commission.
Roberts and board member Dewayne Voth discussed ITV equipment with the board. Voth said the TLC consortium is looking at options to replace the analog equipment since it is outdated, and repair parts are not available.
Roberts said someone from Connecticut fixed the analog system the last time there were problems. No one in this area does that any more, he said.
Roberts said the Hesston superintendent is looking into ITV classes over the Internet from Hutchinson Community College and between school districts over fiber.
He said it would likely cost $13,000-$15,000 per school district for new equipment. It might be possible to obtain used equipment.
Roberts said ITV classes are necessary: “We’re pretty full.”
He added the ITV room is in use four or five hours a day. “It’s cheaper than a teacher,” he added.
In other business:
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Holmes announced that both the high school band and choir received straight I ratings at the Cavalcade of Music competition in Colorado Springs on May 10. He commended both groups for their excellent performances.
He also commended the music teachers and students for their performance at state music contest, where 26 individuals and small groups received a I rating, and five individuals and small groups received a II rating.
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Holmes also commended students for qualifying for state in forensics and national competition in agricultural technology. He mentioned league art contestants and two track students who broke school records in boys’ triple jump and girls’ pole vault.
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Holmes reviewed the school policy for the handbook that states: “Once at school, students are to remain in the building unless they are directly supervised by a teacher or directly in front of the southeast doors during high school lunch. Students may not go outside and/or to their vehicles without direct supervision or permission from the office once the school day begins.”
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Elementary school principal John Fast said grade-school teachers are considering new reading materials. He expects the cost to be less than it was six years ago when reading curriculum was purchased.
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Roberts reviewed future capital outlay projects. He listed football lighting as the first priority. Bleachers are also needed. The track needs to be repaired.
“We wouldn’t put our basketball players out on a floor in that condition,” he said. “We have a lot of support for it” (track repair).
He hopes to have a “first-class facility” outside as well as in the buildings.
Roberts projects that windows at the grade school will be replaced within the next two years. He mentioned completing the chain-link fence.
Computers in the high school lab need to be replaced, he said, and the software needs to be updated. A new server is needed at the grades 7-12 building.
“We just don’t have enough storage and speed,” he said.
He mentioned a tractor for agriculture safety education and custodian use. Roberts projected that a new bus will be needed within the next two years. He also mentioned needing a storage building.
No action was taken on these items
