Staff writer
USD 398 Interim Superintendent Demitry Evancho introduced the first draft of a schedule for the 2012-13 school year Monday at the USD 398 Board of Education meeting.
The primary difference from this past year is that the proposed schedule would eliminate late-start dates. Currently, the district does much of its in-service work with faculty and staff on late-start days. With the proposed schedule, there would be five full staff development days.
“It will be better for students this way,” Evancho said.
On a 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. work schedule, teachers would be slated to work 1,513 hours and new teachers would work 1,521 during the school year.
Peabody-Burns High School Principal Tim Robertson verified with board members that he is in support of this schedule and that it is formatted to accommodate sixth grade moving from Peabody-Burns Junior High School to Peabody-Burns Elementary School.
The schedule is to be reviewed by the board in future meetings.
In other business:
- After a series of executive sessions totaling 65 minutes to discuss personnel, the board renewed administrative contracts for Robertson, PBHS Assistant Principal Ray Savage, and PBES Principal Ken Parry through 2014.
- Savage said the athletic department is basically broke in his report to members. He said he will have to meet with athletic committee members about paying for this upcoming track season and prepare for next fall. Savage said the difference has been a dramatic drop off in ticket sales.
- The board approved the purchase of a new gym divider. The new divider costs $6,433 but includes a new motor and pulley system. Savage said he wanted a divider that shimmies from the floor to the ceiling instead of rolling.
- Board members Julie Ensminger and Shayla Clark volunteered to be on the awards committee, which decides money awards for graduating seniors. The committee includes the superintendent and Robertson. There are currently eight awards decided by the committee.
- Evancho went through several items in the warrant. Key expenses included $18,594 paid for laptops and $751 that was paid to tow a broken down bus from Harvey County. The total warrant for the district for February was $190,162.
- Darren Schroeder and Brian Simmonds were renewed as driver’s education teachers. As the in-classroom teacher, Schroeder is paid more at $2,970 for the program. Both instructors drive with students.
- Evancho said the district will obtain an educational broadband channel from the Federal Communication Commission. The district will acquire the channel through the Technology Excellence in Education Network and the license runs through 2014. Evancho said the district will receive $2,500 up front and then will receive 1.5 percent of broadband sales in the area by the affiliated Internet provider.
- The board approved a trip for the PBHS Adventure Club in June to Colorado. The nine members of the Adventure Club raised money with bierock and burrito sales, and doing sales at sporting events. Club sponsor Gene Green requested school sport utility vehicles for the trip. Adventure Club members will mountain bike, climb and repel, and kayak. The vote passed, 6-1, with Ensminger opposed.
- The district received three Peabody Community Foundation Grants. The Peabody-Burns Elementary School after-school adventure program received $750, the safe school campus program also through PBES received $500, and PBHS Adventure Club received $600.
- In the FFA report given by PBHS agriculture teacher Ty Larue, he reported that the districts’ hogs were cured of whipworm. “If I didn’t kill them, I’d cure them.” The hog pen is still infected and Larue recommends keeping the lot clear of hogs for eight to 10 years. The other animals raised have turned out healthy and are ready for kill dates in April and May. Larue also reported that Zac Goodwin and Nick Morgan won state FFA degrees.
- The board renewed the credit recovery program for summer school.
- Board member Bruce Burke gave a report from the board investment committee. The committee allocated REAP grant funds, $19,336, for school technology. The committee also moved $2,000 from Burns National Bank to Peabody State Bank.
- Evancho said March payroll will be sent out March 16, earlier than usual.