ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA GOERZEN
The Goessel track athletes will be benefiting from a new track in the near future.
Meeting in special session June 30, the USD 4100 Board of Education approved the purchase and construction of a track in the amount of $190,941.
The board also approved the following expenditures: $500 for computer software for the new server, $500 for a football sled, $15,998 for 15 lap-top computers for the high school business room, $5,300 for staff supplementals, and $12,000 for a John Deere model 955 utility tractor with loader, mower and bucket.
Superintendent Chet Roberts had talked with the board at numerous previous meetings about the need for track facilities. The board went outside at the regular July 14 meeting to look at the condition of the track and to see the fence posts that have been installed in the track/football area.
Referring to the new fence, Roberts said, “It will be nice.”
He said most of the posts took about two hours to install. New lighting also is part of the project.
Roberts told the board he would like to have the track done before winter. He thanked the board for their decision to go ahead with the track project:
“I appreciate your support,” he said. “We’re here to help kids.”
Placement of a discus ring was discussed briefly, but no decision was made. Placement of long/triple-jump pits was also discussed.
Roberts said the charter school grant helped pay for the tractor. He said the new tractor will allow students to obtain tractor safety certification at Goessel. Roberts said the $120,000 charter school grant has “moved us into the 21st century-it has helped us a lot.”
The grant also helps pay for some teacher salaries.
Since this was the first meeting of the new fiscal year, the board reorganized itself. Lynel Unrau was re-elected board president, and Mary Rosfeld was re-elected board vice-president.
Patsy Schmidt and Denise Nickel were reappointed as clerk and alternate clerk, respectively.
Peggy Jay was appointed district treasurer since Gary Duerksen resigned. Richard Drake was reappointed as representative to the Marion County Special Education Cooperative Board. Dewayne Voth was re-appointed as representative to The Learning Consortium Board. Unrau was reappointed Kansas Association of School Boards governmental relations representative.
Roberts reviewed the 1,116-hour school year and the 28 units that Goessel High School requires for graduation.
Elementary/junior high principal John Fast explained how the grade school schedule is planned.
He said that an approximate daily average would include: more than one hour of reading and math; more than 11/2 hours of language arts (English, writing, and spelling); more than one-half hour of science, social studies, technology/computer and physical education; and three-fourths hour of fine arts (music and art).
Fast said sometimes teachers combine subjects, such as reading and social studies. Lunch and recess fill the remaining time.
As part of the consent agenda, the board approved the following:
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Board meetings will be held the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the junior/senior high school library.
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Citizens’ State Bank is the official depository of school district funds.
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David Shriver is the school board attorney.
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Schmidt is the freedom of information clerk, and Roberts is the freedom of information officer.
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Participation in the federal and state food service program was approved.
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Student fees will remain the same as last year.
In other business:
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The board expressed appreciation for a $1,000 gift from Mr. and Mrs. Roger Vasconcelles.
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Drake reported that Mary Jones had retired as psychologist for the Marion County Special Ed Co-op. Katherine Young will fill the position. Five para-professionals resigned and five were hired. The position of para-facilitator was eliminated.
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Roberts reported that new TLC equipment will cost $11,000 or $12,000, whereas used equipment would cost $10,000. He said one school plans to lease the equipment, and the other three will buy their share.
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Fast reported that 23 students from kindergarten through sixth grade are enrolled in summer school-14 at the K-2 level and nine at the third-to-sixth-grade level.
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Fast said the art room trailer has been moved out. It had been west of the grade school gym.
Referring to the vacant space, he said: “It’s a huge improvement. It will make it very nice for busses to line up there.”
Roberts said the area will be rocked, and outlets will be installed so the busses can be plugged in during the winter.
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The board viewed the painting that has been done in the junior high gym.
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Roberts reported the state had approved the breakfast waiver, which means the school district is not required to provide breakfast to students.
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The board approved the student handbook.
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The board approved Communities In Schools renewal for 2003-04 in the amount of $620.
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Roberts said that because of the state deficit, the school district will receive three payments for the school year instead of two. Payments will be made in July, January and June. He said that next year’s July payment will come in June, so the district will have a large carryover of funds.
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The mill levy was briefly discussed, but no action was taken. A special meeting is scheduled for 7:15 a.m., July 29, to approve the budget.
