The Goessel school board met on Oct. 9 and listened to superintendent/elementary principal Mark Crawford explain the Kansas legislature’s open enrollment/non-resident policies that will become effective with the next school year. He said that schools will need to post class size limits for each grade level on the school’s website by May 1. Out-of-district students can apply for admission June 1-30. If the number of students applying exceeds the grade level capacity, a lottery will be required. However, Crawford said there are some “grandfathering” rules for returning out-of-district students.
Crawford told the board that new out-of-district students cannot be denied if space is available, except if a student was expelled from the previous school. According to Crawford, “Denial of continued enrollment can only be implemented after the first year of attendance.”
Continuing the discussion of the Kansas legislature, the board heard from Crawford about the Kansas Policy Institute’s goal to reduce public school funding “and shift resources to charter schools and private religious schools.” He also noted that “our locally elected state officials are all lukewarm towards supporting public education!”
Turning their attention to another matter, the board listened to Crawford’s report about student behavior. He noted that since the pandemic, more students are struggling with emotional and behavior issues. He said it is not all tied to trauma, although some is. He talked about discipline responses that calm the situation and help students accept responsibility and learn appropriate behaviors. He also talked about early interventions and discipline systems that promote positive behavior and prevent behavior problems.
Crawford had prepared a report that focuses on meeting a student’s needs and protecting the classroom-learning environment. He mentioned a “team approach” in working with students of all ages.
In other business, the board:
* heard that art teacher Kacie Schmidt was recognized as the 2023 Outstanding K-12 Art Educator of the Year at the Kansas Art Education Association Awards ceremony on October 7. The school board and administration wished to recognize her for this achievement. According to junior high/high school principal Scott Boden, “Mrs. Schmidt is dedicated to student success and very deserving of recognition for her outstanding work in the classroom and the art education community. We are fortunate to have her leading the Goessel art program and proud of her recognition.”
* noted that Goessel is in class 1A for activities this year. According to Boden, the sophomore through senior student count is 93, and the 1A “cut-off” is 108.
* talked about the intervention initiative, which is new at Goessel this year, recognizing that post-pandemic, a greater percentage of students are below grade level in core subjects. Therefore, interventions are designed for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students who need help with math and reading. Students are pulled from class for 30-minute sessions of intervention time.
* heard that 26 juniors and seniors are enrolled in classes through Hutchinson Community College, for a total of 142 credit hours. The students are earning both high school and college credit.
* reviewed free lunch data, which affects at-risk funding.
* noted that parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for Oct. 19.
* approved out-of-state travel for FFA students to attend the national convention Nov. 1-4 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Teacher Nathan Graber will accompany the students.
* voted to declare two old pianos surplus. They are no longer used.
* talked about capital outlay needs. Crawford plans to meet with the District Maintenance Team to determine future projects and needs. The team consists of Ben Schmidt, Donna Washmon, Tom Zogleman, Brian Lightner, Boden, and Crawford.
* approved the month’s expenses of $150,646.25.
