Goessel school board met on Feb. 13 and heard a legislative report from board member Pat Flaming. He said Republicans in the state legislature are pushing for a voucher system for non-public schools and home schools. Flaming said the Kansas Association of School Boards is very much against it because it could destroy public schools.
Superintendent/K-5 principal Mark Crawford commented, “They don’t always recognize the quality of education we have.”
He said this issue has been talked about in the past in the state legislature.
Flaming also said there is not much state legislative support for additional funding for special education, in spite of the need.
Board member Bryant Miller suggested checking with Schools for Quality Education about these issues.
Turning their attention to another matter, the board listened to the Goessel Community Foundation Board speak about the need for an after-school program for children. They had met with Susie Shipp (former after-school provider), John Fast (former Goessel superintendent/principal), Hesston Community Childcare, Austin and Tami Lackey (after-school activities for 5th and 6th graders in Newton) and Megan Kirschner (Bethel College).
Carol Duerksen offered that the Goessel Community Foundation Board could help find grants to help with funding. They would also be willing to help with other details. Darla Banman, Matt Voth, Mary Rosfeld and Dwight Flaming of the Community Foundation Board also attended the meeting.
The school board expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Community Foundation. School board member Ben Schrag said he appreciates the Community Foundation for putting energy into the community.
In other business, the board:
* accepted the resignation of long-time junior high/high school secretary Debbie Schrag. Junior high/high school principal Scott Boden expressed appreciation for Schrag’s 30 years of employment at the school. He said she is “irreplaceable.” He said Schrag does many things for the school that others have no idea. Crawford commended her accuracy and excellent reporting. Schrag will work through June 30.
* agreed to schedule the March board meeting a week later due to spring break. Therefore, the March meeting will be held on Monday, March 20.
* voted to accept three donations: $600 from an anonymous donor for classroom supplies, $100 from an anonymous donor for live streaming and $190 from Nex-Tech ($10 for every football touchdown). The board expressed appreciation for these donations.
* heard from Boden that Goessel band teacher Scott Taylor led the Wheat State League Honor Band, which was held at Goessel on Feb. 1. Boden said the Honor Band event had been held at a college in previous years.
* heard from Boden that Goessel will host the sub-state basketball tournament March 2-4, due to flooding of the gym floor at the school that had been scheduled to host the tournament.
* accepted a plaque from Lawrence (Larry) Woelk, son of Randolph Woelk, who was a 1939 Goessel High School graduate known as the Galloping Goose because of his running ability.
* heard a Marion County Special Education Cooperative report from board member Maynard Knepp. He said a director has been hired. He said that raising the pay for paras helped stabilize the para situation.
* approved the month’s expenditures of $114,098.67.
