Town hall meeting to address underage drinking
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Peabody-Burns USD 398 board of education members agreed at the March meeting to host a town hall meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. April 3 at the high school. The event will be held in conjunction with Marion County Communities In Schools and will focus on underage drinking.
The decision to host the meeting was made following a presentation by Communities In Schools director Linda Ogden. Ogden shared statistical information with the board about underage alcohol use.
District patrons are invited to attend the event. Information will be included in local newspapers. Flyers will be posted in Peabody and Burns to remind parents and patrons of time and place.
District Superintendent Rex Watson told board members the architect for Marion County Special Education board had been back in the district to get additional information about the proposed remodeling project for the CLASS program.
Landmark Architects and Engineers has been hired by the special education board to submit plans to remodel an area of Peabody-Burns Elementary School for the purpose of educating disabled students in the PBES building.
No decisions were made, but Watson and the board reviewed remodeling costs, general maintenance costs, and contract length. Additional updates will be presented by Watson as they become available.
In other business, the board:
— offered summer driver's education positions to Brian Simmonds and Darren Schroeder and accepted the resignation of custodian Duane Davis effective Jan. 29, and food service worker Alice Stucky effective June 1.
— accepted a memorial gift to the Peabody-Burns band program from the family and friends of Jack Grosse.
— approved a request by the FFA Alumni Association to recognize graduating seniors and post-secondary students and present scholarships at graduation.
— accepted the proposed 2008 summer school calendar and plan outline.
— tabled until a future meeting proposed board of education goals, quota information for various activities, sports participation by district sixth graders, and dual participation (sorts and cheerleading).
— made a wording change in the student handbook to clarify the district's intent for students to maintain regular eligibility if they are going to attend the junior/senior prom.
— named Gary Jones and Tony Zappone to the 2008 scholarship awards committee.
— heard from Watson that agreements with the city about football and baseball field maintenance and relocation of the FFA farm have not been finalized.
— accepted a bid from Heartland Technologies for computers to be purchased with REAP grant funds.
— changed the April board of education meeting date to 7 p.m. April 8 due to a conflict with the district scholarship banquet April 14.
— entered three executive sessions for the purpose of discussing personnel. The sessions totaled 55 minutes and included both the superintendent and the high school principal. Upon return to open meeting following the final session, the board voted unanimously to allow an FFA overnight trip to Junction City for a leadership program.
