Goessel board hears report on new personal finance class

The USD 411-Goessel Board of Education heard during its Feb. 13 meeting a report from high school teacher and coach Garrett Hiebert about a new personal finance class he developed.

This is the first year the high school is offering it. The class addresses taxes, budgets, buying a car, apartment and house expenses, investments and other financial matters.

“The best thing for me is…kids asking questions,” Hiebert said. “They can see a connection between what we do in class and their own life.”

Scott Boden, junior high and high school principal, said he listened in when the class discussed renting or buying a household item such as a television. The class reviewed the cost and realized renting would cost more than buying.

“It’s been very positive,” Boden said.

Hiebert said he sees value in what the students are learning in the class, “regardless of a student’s career path.”

Board member Darla Meysing agreed and commended Hiebert for a “good job.” Board member James Wiens said the class is “very valuable.”

School fun day

The board discussed a request from the junior high Student Council regarding a proposed Fun Day on May 5 at Worlds of Fun. In order to go on the trip, students must meet all of the requirements from Feb. 6 through the rest of the school year.

During that time, students will be allowed no more than: one behavior detention, two academic detentions, two ineligibilities, four total tardies, one inappropriate use of technology (games, cell phone), or two office referrals for negative behavior.

Also, students must maintain a grade-point average of 2.50 or greater.

According to Chad Lin­deman, junior high StuCo sponsor, the cost of the trip would include the ticket to enter the park, plus a lunch and drink wristband.

Each student would be in a group sponsored by a teacher, so no one will be unsupervised at the park. Each student will be assessed a fee, which has not been determined yet.

According to Lindeman, students and teachers had a great time last year and are excited to go again this year.

“Our hope is that every student will keep working hard,” he said. “This trip will be their reward for completing the year on a high note.”

District goals

Superintendent John Fast presented new district goals that had been determined with input from the board and teachers.

Short-term goals include attracting and retaining the quality of employees, maintaining the strong financial position through prudent resource management and implementing a five-year accreditation plan.

Fast said long-term goals include implementing “an individualized plan of instruction for each student that allows them to maximize their potential,” maintaining a high level of student success, and continuing to communicate with the community about the school’s strengths and challenges, and engaging the community in efforts to achieve the school’s goals.

Other business

In other business, the board:

• heard that a career fair is scheduled for Feb. 23, with 35 to 40 people coming to share about their jobs. Boden said that high school teacher and coach Crysta Guhr and her class have been working on the fair.

• accepted the resignation of Joe Base as bus driver; with his last day to be Feb. 14. Superintendent John Fast said, “He’s done a great job for us.” In addition to Base’s years as a bus driver, Fast affirm Base for the service work that he has done for the school buses.

• accepted the resignation of Morris Ewert as bus driver and thanked him for his years of service. Ewert has worked for the school for nearly 25 years. The board had approved Ewert’s retirement from custodian duties at last month’s meeting. He will work through the end of the school year.

• voted to hire Larry Lindeman for Base’s bus route, beginning Feb. 15. Fast said Lindeman has been driving as a substitute bus driver for five years.

• approved the resignation of D. J. Freeman as cheerleading sponsor. Boden praised Freeman’s service. Gretchen Schrag will continue as a cheerleading sponsor.

• heard from Boden about basketball and Scholars Bowl accomplishments.

• heard Goessel will host a Class 1A sub-state basketball tournament.

• heard that the FFA is planning to host a breakfast Feb. 25.

• heard about the school improvement day Jan. 16.

• heard from Fast that the elementary school students were planning for a music program Feb. 16.

• heard that a family reading night is scheduled for March 7. Fast said the evening will be planned around a camping theme.

• heard Wiens say in his legislative report that “it’s hard to know” what the state will do about school funding. to know” what decisions will be.

• heard about a legislative day that is being planned by Schools for Quality Education. Fast said he would like to take some people from Goessel to that March 14 event.

• passed a state required resolution extending the school board terms through November as voting for school board elections will now be done in November instead of in April. The filing deadline for school board positions will be June 1.

The four-year terms of Kelly Booton, Lynette Duerk­sen, and James Wiens will be ending, but they can file for re-election.

• discussed technology with Steve Watkins, the school information technology director. The board and Watkins discussed the fiber that is owned by The Learn­ing Consortium and how it relates to Internet and telephone service.

In addition to Goessel, the other TLC schools are Hess­ton, Moundridge and Can­ton-Galva. The schools are working together to determine the future of TLC as technology continues to change.

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