The USD 410 Board of Education heard reports from its two building principals, Clint Corby from the middle/high school, and Evan Yoder from the elementary school, during its regular board meeting March 13.
Corby updated the board on the Career Cruising program, including a recent timeframe adjustment for students to complete their activities.
“What we did is set time frames for a week or two at a time to be able to do their activities,” Corby said. “This has proven to be a problem for some students, especially this time of year with concerts and different things— whatever they’re doing.
“It’s different for different kids. And so we will have nine-week goals as opposed to the weekly like we were doing now.”
Corby said Anne Wilson of the Flint Hills Map Discovery Center in Manhattan presented the schools with maps and curriculum during a March 3 in-service. He expects to see the biggest impact in the Kansas history curriculum in the sixth grade.
“The number of resources that were available—just online, even—for that class is staggering,” Corby said. “So we’re pretty excited.”
The maps are located at both school buildings: on the left side of the HMHS lobby and by the HES office.
HMHS is in the middle of scheduling and will try a component available through Skyward, which promises to organize student scheduling options with the least amount of conflict.
The Kansas Food Bank sponsors a program where snacks are given to the school, which in turn supplies them to students in their backpacks over the weekend. Corby reported about 10 HMHS students are benefitting from this program.
Discussions have been ongoing with both Stuco and Site Council about having a salutatorian and valedictorian for classes. A survey given to administrators across the state resulted in 25 percent of those responding saying they do not have them. More information will come in the future.
Meanwhile, Yoder said kindergarten screenings will be April 6 and 7, with early estimates at about 47 students entering kindergarten next fall. Assessment testing will begin soon, as well as MAPS testing in early May.
After spring break, the Walking School Bus will pick up again at HES and the farm animals will return to the campus as well.
Yoder said Family Reading Night would be Tuesday, March 14.
Coryea resignation
Following an executive session, the board approved Len Coryea’s resignation effective at the end of the year.
Superintendent Max Heinrichs reported on potential position options for 2017-18, including a new kindergarten position, increasing the art/music position to full time, and a possible adjustment to the salary and benefits of Robert Rempel, assistant principal and activities director, as he finishes his degree.
Heinrichs also noted if funding is available, one eventual goal is to get a Chromebook in the hands of each HES student grades 3-5. This would begin by supplying faculty members with a Chromebook and training during the summer, then getting Chromebooks to the students the following year.
Heinrichs listed the Kansas Can vision goals from the Kansas State Department of Education, which include the following:
(1) Kindergarten readiness;
(2) Individual plans of study (career cruising);
(3) Increased high school graduation rates;
(4) Post-secondary completion and attendance;
(5) Social and emotion growth.
Other business
In other business, the board:
• approved the 2017-18 calendar.
• reviewed election procedures for the school board.
• approved a resolution to extend the term of any elected board member whose term expires in 2017 until the second Monday of January 2018.
• noted the filing deadline for a board position as June 1. The primary will be in August and the general election will be the first Monday in November. Elected officials will take office the second Monday in January.
• noted that board positions currently held by Joe Sechrist, Kim Klein, Mark Rooker and Jim Paulus will be up in 2017.
• approved a lease agreement with Grace Community Fellowship, which anticipates being in a new facility by Christmas Eve.
• Approved facility and vehicle use agreement with Prairie View for summer programs.
• heard from business manager Jerry Hinerman about a possible insurance rate increase based on a higher number of claims from the group of about 40 schools in ESSDACK, of which USD 410 is a part. Rates will be available in 4-5 weeks.
• Heinrichs reported on various budgeted training items this summer related to for Project Lead The Way.
• was updated on the repairs required on Bus 54, which should be completed April 1.
• heard that four to five of the six openings with MCSEC have been filled.
• heard a speaker is being secured for next January’s TEEN mashup.
The board ended its meeting in executive session, with no action taken when the public meeting resumed.
