School district hires architect
Staff writer
After hearing from two architectural firms April 10, Unified School District 410 hired Howard and Helmer to assist with facility planning and design.
Architects Ken Helmer and David Riffel of Howard and Helmer met with school board members and presented ideas and options for improvements of existing facilities as well as updating and addressing current parking concerns.
The firm presented a fee schedule and assured the board they are experienced with grant applications.
Helmer also suggested the project could be supported by a bond issue.
Riffel said there was a possibility there could be a joint project with Tabor College to renovate Reimer Field.
PKHLS Architecture also presented a similar proposal for facility improvements.
Architect Vince Haines said the firm had a long association with the district and presented similar projects the firm had completed.
After hearing from both firms and discussing the options, the board hired Howard and Helmer. That firm's ideas were innovative and new. Since Tabor College is using the firm for the Reimer Field project, the board felt there would be more cohesion if the district used the same firm.
Burton resigns
Four district employees submitted letters of resignation.
Hillsboro Middle School principal Corey Burton has resigned to take a position in Ellis. Carmen Hein, Matt Carroll, and Mary Clay also resigned.
The board reviewed the process for hiring a new middle school principal and the need for four full-time administrators.
"One of the reasons we have such a good school system is our administration," said superintendent Gordon Mohn.
A timeline for hiring a new principal was adopted. Applications close today (April 19). Candidate screening will take place by Thursday. The interview process will begin Monday and a contract will be offered by May 3. The board will vote at the May 8 meeting to approve the contract.
Contracts for Sandy Arnold and Nathan Hiebert were renewed, granting them tenure.
Those teachers holding teaching and supplemental contracts were renewed.
Renewal of non-certified employees with supplemental contracts was delayed.
Technology Student Association (TSA) sponsor Creighton Bell requested the district provide transportation and funding for sponsors to attend the national TSA competition in Dallas, Texas.
Brett McIntosh, Nathan Crocker, Tyler Lofton, and Isaac Leihy won first place in their respective divisions at the state competition and will advance June 21-25 to national competition.
Bell said some expenses will be covered by profits from the Hillsboro Lasertech student company, which has grossed between $900 and $1,000 this year.
The board agreed to the request.
Community child-care
Mohn addressed the board about a program for community child-care and early childhood services.
The program would provide morning and afternoon sessions with a maximum of 17 students per session. Mohn estimated 17 slots would be allocated to Head Start students, 10 to four-year-old at-risk students, four to Marion County Special Education Cooperative students, and three private-pay students.
Each session would be staffed by a teacher and two paraprofessionals.
The preschool also would be served on a part-time basis by MCSEC early education teachers, staff members from Prairie View, and a food services aide.
Mohn added a half-time teacher could be funded mostly by at-risk money.
In other business:
— Hillsboro Elementary School principal Evan Yoder said students had finished state assessments.
— Kindergarten roundup was held April 12-13. Yoder said 30 children were signed up for the screening, indicating a smaller class size for next year.
— Burton said the middle school had begun a bullying prevention program with an assembly and skit created and performed by middle school teachers.
— Athletic director Max Heinrichs said spring sports had begun. There are 17 players on the boys' baseball team, 10 on the golf team, 21 girls on the softball team, 37 on the high school track team, and 40 on the middle school track team. He concluded there are 105 high school and 40 middle school students involved in athletics.
— Hillsboro High School principal Dale Honeck said high school students have been inducted into the honor society and the district will have a National Honor Society chapter next school year.
— Mohn recommended the board adopt a more stringent policy for out-of-district students. Currently there are 40 non-resident students in the district. The board will look at the policy revision at a later date.
— The 2006-07 school calendar was adopted.
— Mohn recommended and the board approved the purchase of a testing tool, Measures of Academic Progress (MAPS). The software has an annual cost of $12.50 per student with a projected cost of $5,400 for next year. The program also has a one-time initiation fee of $3,000 that includes a one-day on-site workshop.
— Board member Mark Rooker, USD 410 representative on the TEEN board, said TEEN director Chris Moddelmog has resigned and a replacement is being sought. TEEN also is working to bring affordable high speed Internet service to communities by collaborating with Tabor College, Kan-Ed, and Tri-County Telephone.
— Board member Debbie Geis, district representative for MCSEC, said the cooperative is securing a facility lease, evaluating the director, and had accepted the resignation of three employees.
— Mohn said the KASB spring regional meeting is April 27 in Buhler. He recommended some board members attend, as USD 410 will host the fall meeting.
— Mohn reviewed summer maintenance plans.
— Mohn said the valedictorian and salutatorian selection policy will be evaluated at the next school board meeting.
The board entered an executive session to discuss personnel issues. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
The next meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. May 8 in the HHS technology center.
