Peabody-Burns school board nixes senior class trip once again
After voting last year to discontinue the senior trip beginning this 2005-06 year, the topic was on the Nov. 14 agenda once again for Peabody-Burns Board of Education.
The topic was placed on the agenda by board member Duke Eldridge. Eldridge had prepared a handout for the board outlining criteria he had put together for a senior trip.
Brian Simmonds, high school math teacher and parent, presented a support petition from the junior class (PBHS class of 2007).
Eldridge made a motion to continue the senior trip according to the presented guidelines. His motion was seconded by Peggy Phillips.
After considerable discussion Gary Jones made a motion to postpone indefinitely the issue of allowing a senior trip. Gilbert Loewen seconded the motion and it carried by a 4-3 vote.
Jones was able to make a motion before a vote was taken on the motion by Eldridge to allow the trip by invoking a "privileged motion" which ceases discussion of the initial motion and calls for a vote on the second.
The board heard a report from Robbi Alstrom about "Bigs in Schools," a program of staff members and older students in the district acting as big brothers and big sisters to younger students.
The Marion County program ranks first in the state and Peabody-Burns district has three-fourths of the county participants with 51 volunteers and 71 matches in the school system this year.
In other business the board:
— approved net payroll of $122,565.94, additional warrants, and transfers for October totaling $175,370.87, and November warrants and transfers totaling $200,969.08.
— heard a district status of performance review by Chris Cezar of Marion County Special Education Cooperative and a report of the gifted program, new focus monitoring, and compliance issues.
— reviewed a summary report from Gene Green about the at-risk program.
— approved a plan by the city and Peabody Main Street Association to place a city sign on the northwest corner of the lot previously occupied by the former high school building. The board reserved the right to look into changing easements or deeding the land to the city if there is a liability issue.
— accepted the resignation of Doris Unruh as senior class sponsor.
— agreed to hire for the 2005-06 school year, Larry Weir as assistant wrestling coach and Marjorie Morgan as part-time school nurse.
— agreed to send a letter to Marion County Commission about conditions of roads in the district that see heavy use by patrons and school buses.
— twice entered executive session for the purpose of discussing a student. No action was taken on return to open session.
— toured the high school building before meeting at the central office.
