The Goessel school board met on March 8, earlier than usual, because the regular meeting date would have fallen during spring break.
The board approved three teacher resignations during the meeting.
Beth Ratzloff resigned as high school Family and Consumer Science teacher and FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America) sponsor.
This is her second year at Goessel. She commutes from Sedgwick to Goessel every day and would like to work closer to home. The board expressed appreciation for her work here and wished her well.
Mary Schmidt plans to retire from her Title I teaching position at the elementary school. She taught at Goessel for 12 years, 1974-1986, then came back in 1989 and has taught 27 more years.
Board members expressed appreciation for her many years of hard work and described her as a great asset to the school district.
One board member recalled having her as a teacher when he was a child.
The board appreciated her commitment, noting that she worked hard in spite of recent health issues.
Wes Schmidt-Tieszen is also retiring. He is the high school social science teacher, senior class sponsor, high school Scholars Bowl sponsor, and junior high Quiz Bowl sponsor.
Schmidt-Tieszen taught a few years before coming to Goessel. He has taught at Goessel High School for 28 years, since 1988.
Board members described him as a fantastic teacher who taught with passion and made students want to learn. They noted his creativity.
Scott Boden, junior high and high school principal, said, ?His dedication, service, and care for students sets a high standard.?
Boden noted how Schmidt-Tieszen skillfully engages students in discussions and challenges them to think more deeply about a topic and consider alternate perspectives.
The board expressed appreciation for these teachers and sadness that they are resigning.
Other business
In other business, the board:
? heard a legislative report from board member James Wiens.
He said a Kansas Associa?tion of School Boards report had stated that ?bills are surfacing that would draw down school district cash balances, require districts to make purchases through the Kansas Department of Administration, and set up property and casualty insurance pools for districts.?
A recent KASB report states that the Kansas Senate considered a bill that would reduce school district budget balances.
The report also states that Senate Bill 499 would require school districts to purchase certain items through the state, including maintenance, information technology, food, electricity and fuel.
? heard from Boden that the school had received much ?positive feedback? for job of hosting the state Scholars Bowl competition.
Boden expressed appreciation to all school staff and community members who helped with the event. He commended them for doing an ?outstanding job.?
Goessel placed fourth at that competition.
? heard that Goessel also hosted the Wheat State League junior high music contest March 8.
? approved a trip to Kansas City for the Elbiata vocal group. The students will leave after school March 24. The next day, they are scheduled to sing at the Cathedral of St. Peter, and they will tour the cathedral. They will also visit the Nelson Atkins Museum.
The group return to Goessel March 26. The students are paying for the trip from fundraiser proceeds, such as their Singing Valentines.
? heard that basketball was ending, and track and golf practices would start soon.
? heard from Boden that the Wheat State League has raised ticket prices to $5 for adults, beginning next school year.
? heard from John Fast, superintendent and elementary school principal, that elementary students had presented a musical program of famous American music.
? heard that the family reading night at the grade school would feature a space theme. Students would hear a story in a ?space station,? try exercises that astronauts use and have a ?book swap.?
? heard that teachers will be involved in May in scoring tests that schools are required to use. Teachers will receive one hour of on-line training and will score tests for about three hours.
? approved the purchase of new junior high football uniforms from Lou?s Sporting Goods of Wichita for a total of $3,348.
? heard that a pad for additional parking spaces for those with disabilities had been installed at the high school, and a sidewalk had been extended to the north parking area.
These improvements were in place before the last home basketball games.
? heard plans for the March 11 in-service day. Boden said the day would include state assessment planning, effective discipline practices, technology integration, individual plans of study and student-improvement planning.
? heard that March 14-18 would be spring break, with no school. Also, there will be no school on Good Friday, March 25.
? heard that high school track and golf practice would begin March 21. Junior high track practice will begin March 28.
? reviewed the school?s sexual harassment policy.
? approved insurance coverage with Wright Insurance for $53,663.
? entered executive sessions to discuss personnel and a student concern, but took no action in open session.
