Staff writer
USD 398 Board of Education met Dec. 8 with members Bruce Burke and Duke Eldridge absent.
Superintendent Rex Watson relayed a request from Rhonda Loucks to use four obsolete computers in a tutoring program at Burns. Loucks, board representative from Burns, also is the representative for the tutoring program.
After discussion, the board passed a motion to provide four outdated laptop computers to the program. The motion carried on a 4-0-1 vote with Loucks abstaining.
Later in the meeting, Loucks questioned the possibility of implementing an additional educational program in Burns for high school degree completion (or GED) program. There was discussion among members of utilizing the PLATO program (an alternative customized learning solution for students unable to succeed in traditional classroom situations) and hosting meetings to gauge interest. Also discussed were technology needs.
Loucks requested additional coordinating information. No action was taken. The board will revisit the proposal at a future meeting.
In other business, the board:
- approved a job offering to Joseph Brunner as “C” team assistant high school boys’ basketball coach for the 2008-09 school year and accepted emergency substitute certificates for Scott Seirer and William Griffith, also for the 2008-09 school year.
- heard information from Watson about bus cameras. The district site council had requested information about the cameras and members were present to relay their reasons for the request to the board. A unanimous vote was cast to install two bus camera systems.
- reviewed input from high school staff members about the Go EduStar grading system currently in use. Board members discussed the pros and cons of that system and the former system, looked at technology issues, programs, and other areas. No decision was made.
- heard a report from Loucks, Terry Eberhard, and Julia Ensminger about the Kansas Association of School Board convention in Wichita.
- heard updates about overnight trips planned for later in the school year by Business Professionals of America and the PBHS band.
- approved a three-year vocational agriculture education improvement plan.
- agreed to have the superintendent and clerk send out requests for bid proposals for the annual district audit in July. Agler and Gaeddert, longtime school auditing firm, completed a three-year contract with the district.
- entered five executive sessions that totaled 40 minutes for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel. The superintendent and building administrator were included in the sessions. No action was taken on return to open meeting.