USD 410 board OKs student trip (May 11 meeting)

Unified School District 410 approved a request from advisers and students at Monday evening?s meeting to attend the national Technology Students Association conference at Denver, Colo., in June.

The board?s policy requires approval for out-of-state trips taken by students.

The board members also voted to a district vehicle and fuel and granted expenses for advisers Creigh Bell and Robert Woelk be taken out of professional development funds.

The board?s vote came after three TSA students — Nicholas Ediger, Aaron Slater and Amanda Roble — reported on their status and achievements at the TSA state conference this year. All three Hillsboro High students achieved first-place awards at the convention and are qualified to submit entries at the national conference.

?This program (at USD 410) is at the pinnacle of what goes on at the state of Kansas,? Bob Woelk said about the quality of the students? work at the state level.

Board president Rod Koons commended the students for their excellence in representing the district.

The board supported Bell?s request that Merlin Funk travel with the group.

Superintendent Doug Huxman reported on discussions with representatives from Tabor College and the district about an access road to the parking lot for the new stadium.

The board then discussed cost, location and surfacing options for the access road. Board members agreed that consideration by the district to co-pay for the road raises ownership issues.

The board directed Huxman to relay its response to college representatives — the district has to own the road to use bond or capital outlay monies; otherwise, Tabor will have to pay for it.

Huxman reported that while rain has had an impact for the past two weeks on construction, contractors still fell they are going to make the deadline for completion in time for the first home football game.

In other business, the board:

— approved an amended change order from Coonrod and Associates Construction for about $3.6 million, which reflects additions and deductions to the guarantee maximum price for the athletic facility project.

Prior to the vote, business manager Jerry Hinerman reviewed projected costs versus those budgeted as of May 11.

— approved a revised agreement from Emprise Bank for use of its building for district offices. Termination of the contract was extended to Dec. 31. After that date, the lease will be month to month. Rent will continue at $1,000 per month.

— heard that a representative from Midway Motors will attend the June meeting to report on its status with General Motors.

— was updated about summer maintenance projects by Keith Goossen, transportation and maintenance director.

— granted permission for Goossen to begin steps to purchase a Hustler mower at the cost of $34,208, which would be purchased after the current fiscal year.

— was reminded that renewal of existing teaching contract will grant tenure to Jeff Haslett, who teaches physical education.

— approved the resignation of Betty Medley as full-time custodian. She has requested to work just during the school year.

— approved the resignation of Shawna Brow from as supervising aide for morning Catch-Up Corral at Hillsboro Elementary School.

— approved professional development credit and renewal points for 2007-08.

— heard the state budget, at this point, will allocate $4,280 per student.

?This is the second-best scenario,? Huxman said about the current state budget status, adding that he anticipates more cuts in the future.

— heard a report from Lori Soo Hoo about the level of funding for Parents as Children. She said she and district administrators are exploring creative ways to maintain the current level of service to families in Marion County.

— discussed filling the open position for the Board of Education. The board agreed to check with the two people whose names were write-ins and to advertise the position if they decline.

— approved changes for high school and middle school handbooks. Changes in the HHS handbook reflect policies about technology because of the board?s decision to purchase laptops for each high school student to use.

?We have to realize that this is going to be an evolving process,? Koons said about technology policies.

— approved the district?s participation in the Title I program.

— tabled action until next month regarding the request from two retiring teachers to purchase their computers.

— met in executive sessions to discuss student and personnel matters. No action was taken.

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