Elementary school security systems to be upgraded
Supplemental assignments approved for coming school year
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
On May 14 Peabody-Burns USD 398 board of education members wound up several months of consideration and discussion about school security systems.
With all members present they voted unanimously to proceed with the plan to remodel the entryway and improve security at Peabody-Burns Elementary School.
Superintendent Tom Alstrom presented additional information about security camera options and other security choices available for Peabody-Burns Junior and Senior High School. After discussion board members unanimously approved the installation of a 16-camera system at a maximum cost of $10,000.
Board members entered three executive sessions for the purpose of discussing personnel. At the close of the final session, the board approved the supplemental assignments as presented for the 2007-08 school year.
Assignments are as follows for Peabody-Burns Junior High: Brian Simmonds, head football coach; Brad Shaw, assistant football coach; Kim Topham, head cross country coach; Shawna McCartney, head girls' basketball coach; Katie Phillips, assistant girls' basketball coach; Bob Kyle, head boys' basketball coach; Mario Nava, assistant boys' basketball coach; Darren Schroeder, head track coach; Mario Nava and Melissa Cutburth, assistant track coaches; Crys Commerford, scholars' bowl coach; and Ann Leppke, student council.
Supplemental positions at Peabody-Burns Senior High School are: David Pickens, head football coach; Bob Kyle and Clint Winchester, assistant football coaches; Darren Schroeder, head volleyball coach; Kim Topham, head cross country coach; Steven Thorburn, wrestling coach; Jonathan Richstatter, baseball coach; Shawna McCartney, head track coach; Kim Topham, assistant track coach; Jim Pohlman, golf coach; Lisa Hodges, fall and winter cheerleading coach; Annette Elliott, winter cheerleading coach; Crys Commerford, scholars' bowl coach; Dorothy Rucker, forensics; Annette Elliott, student council;
Jana Wedel, Business Professionals of America, and as class sponsors, Brenda Riggs and Doris Unruh, senior class; Ann Leppke, junior class; soph-
omores, Krystal Hague; and freshmen, Kim Topham and Jana Wedel.
The board did not select a head or assistant coach for high school boys' basketball, coaches for junior high volleyball, or a director for a drama or musical production for next year.
In other business, the board:
— approved resignations from elementary school music teacher Virginia Skinner and elementary school counselor Verna Ploutz, effective at the end of the 2006-07 school year.
— approved contracts for summer weight training sponsors Les Loucks, David Pickens, and Darren Schroeder.
— approved summer school contracts for Donna Glover, Shawna McCartney, Pam Carter, and Beth Peter and an emergency substitute certificate for Melissa Cutburth.
— heard from Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission members Greg Jones and Erik Barnes about a proposed recreation park east of the Peabody city park. Final costs have not been calculated.
— heard from sixth grade teacher Annette Weems about concerns and research related to the participation of sixth graders in junior high sports as well as a presentation by athletic director Ray Savage. The board requested additional information on insurance, eligibility, and participants. More discussion will take place at the June meeting.
— heard from Robi Alstrom the history, statistics, and future of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Peabody-Burns schools. The board expressed its appreciation to Alstrom for her efforts on behalf of the program.
— agreed to accept the graduation awards as presented.
— approved the District Site Council annual report.
— accepted an anonymous monetary gift to the district intended to be used for leadership training.
— approved spending $17,000 from the Depler music fund to upgrade district-owned instruments.
— approved a contract offering to Kathy S. Ensey as vocal music instructor during the 2007-08 school year.
— reviewed the procedure to perform a board policy review. A member of Kansas Association of School Boards, the superintendent, administrators, and a board member will review building handbooks for the 2007-08 school year.
— approved a memorandum of understanding between USD 398, the Burns Pantry, and the city of Burns for use of the former school cafeteria building.
— agreed to offer Tim Peterson the full-time evening high school custodian position and Gail Myers the half-time position.
— entered an executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations. The superintendent was included in the session. No business was conducted on return to open meeting.
