New graduation requirements approved at PBHS
Freshmen entering Peabody-Burns High School will have new graduation requirements following action taken this past week by the board of education.
New requirements for the No Child Left Behind and Quality Performance Accreditation programs make the changes necessary, Katie Pankratz told the board during its March 8 meeting.
Board member Jim Hoffman moved to approve the graduation changes beginning with incoming freshmen. Motion carried 6-0.
In other matters concerning graduation requirements, board member Hoffman requested information concerning students selecting Tier 2 who did not graduate, as well as graduation requirements from other area schools.
In other matters, the board:
— Approved net payroll amounting to $115,980.12, additional February warrants totaling $5,304.11, March warrants and transfers totaling $125,557.78.
— Reviewed the following communications: Thank you notes from Mallory Whitney and the family of Lou Anderson. The board received invitations to the prom.
— Heard from Superintendent Tom Alstrom who reviewed the proposed calendar for the 2004-05 school year. It will be on the April agenda for approval.
— Heard about a new approach to teaching math known as cognitive guided math. Emily Bowlin and Louise Whiteman made the presentation.
— Heard a request from Gene Green seeking approval to take his students on an adventure/education trip this summer in Colorado. After review and with the superintendent's recommendation, Peggy Phillips moved to approve the trip and provide two Suburbans for transportation. Motion carried 6-0.
— Heard from Elizabeth Brown and Jonathan Foth who gave a presentation regarding the Business Professionals of America (BPA) state meeting and asked approval to attend national meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After discussion and receiving the superintendent's recommendation, Duke Eldridge moved to approve the trip and allow expenses of $941.40 for qualifying students. Motion carried 6-0.
— Appointed Phillips and Doe Ann Hague to serve on the awards selection committee. After review, Philips moved to approve the number and amount of awards presented. Motion carried 6-0.
— Approved 6-0 driver training contracts to Brian Simmonds and Darren Schroeder for the summer of 2004.
In a related action, the board voted 6-0 to increase the driver training fee $150 for in-district students and $250 for out-of-district students effective summer 2004.
— Approved renewing a five-year agreement with ESSDACK beginning July 1.
— Heard from Alstrom and Hague about the governmental relations seminar they attended recently in Topeka during the annual KASB meeting.
— Heard Alstrom review a preliminary proposal about adding additional parking at the elementary school.
— Discussed an item added to the agenda by Eldridge concerning the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. This includes not giving specific information regarding any student to any outside agency or individual without the express written permission of the student's parent or guardian for each request for information. Eldridge moved that USD 398 will meet the requirements. The motion failed for lack of a second. Alstrom will check district policy and compare with information furnished by Eldridge. That information will be sent to the board.
