Goessel School Board gets update on ‘Parents as Teachers’

Editor’s note: Due to the amount of the content covered in the May 13 Goessel school board meeting, we ran part of the report last week. Here is the rest of the report. You can find the entire article on our website.

Turning their attention to another matter, the board listened to Susie Kliewer of Parents As Teachers. She talked about six sessions of playgroups that provide play, stories, songs, and snacks. She said it takes longer to serve families than in the past because of more paperwork. The annual meeting will be in St. Louis in October. Fast said that Goessel’s PAT assessment will likely be $6,932, and that will need approval at a future meeting.

In other business, the board:

* accepted a $300 donation from the Goessel Foundation for $300 for the meal that was provided the evening of the Early Childhood event. The board wished to thank the foundation for the money. * heard that a reception had been held in honor of Denise Nickel, long-time elementary school secretary. Nickel is retiring.

* voted to hire Lacie Hill as the elementary school secretary office professional. Fast said she already knows many of the students since she is a bus driver. She also volunteers at the elementary school and helps with PTO.

Fast said she has strong computer skills. She will begin full-time before the end of May.

* voted to hire Julie Sparks as the head junior high volleyball coach. She attended Shawnee Mission East High School and William Jewell College. She was a stand-out athlete in basketball, volleyball, and track. Boden said she has many years of coaching experience at schools in the Kansas City area.

She currently lives in Newton where her husband is a pastor at St. Luke Presbyterian Church. * listened to Lightner’s report about the new sound systems in the high school gym and the track. “I really appreciate having quality equipment,” he said. He also appreciates all the people who help with games and track meets. He said Goessel has a reputation of hosting good track meets, and schools want to come to Goessel for track events.

* approved the purchase of 80 replacement Chromebooks for junior high and high school students at a cost of $19,087.

* approved the purchase of a mower from Ag Power in Hillsboro for a cost of $13,132.

* approved membership in Schools for Quality Education for a cost of $375. Fast said SQE was “exceedingly helpful in former years when there was talk of consolidation.”

* heard that high school teacher/coach Garrett Hiebert plans to offer a computer science course next school year.

Five students have already signed up for the course.

* heard a Marion County Special Education Cooperative report from board member Bryant Miller. He said the next school calendar had been approved.

He reported that project search students have found employment at Tabor College and at Dale’s grocery store. Roof repairs have been authorized.

* heard Boden’s report that this is a busy time of the school year. He wished to thank all who have helped track meets run smoothly.

* approved an out-of-state FFA trip with no expense for the school board.

* approved the financial statements of $132,908.48.

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