Staff writer
Superintendent Jerri Kemble told Centre school board members Sept. 14 that Centre students met and exceeded the “adequate yearly progress” goals required in 2008-09 by No Child Left Behind.
The percentage of students in USD 397 who met or exceeded state standards were 95.1 in reading and 88.7 in math. This was a significant improvement from the year before, in which the reading percentage was 69.1.
“There has been a concerted effort to focus on reading,” Kemble said. “Teachers are always doing check-ups, continuing professional learning, and focusing. We as administrators are proud of how our students are doing.”
Ballfield controversy
A special arrangement exists between Centre school district and its small towns regarding ball diamonds. In support of Centre Ball Association and the summer ball program, the school district pays electric bills for the lights, and towns try to use the lights as little as possible.
At the Sept. 14 meeting, board member Jesse Brunner brought up an issue of concern he said was presented to him by a Tampa patron.
This past summer, a Hillsboro men’s softball team used the Tampa ballfield as its home base because alcohol is not allowed at Hillsboro ball diamonds but is allowed at Tampa.
A co-ed softball tournament also took place at Tampa in August.
Brunner said the patron who spoke to him was concerned that the city and/or the school district could be liable if someone was hurt or killed at such an event, resulting in a lawsuit.
There also was a concern that beer drinking at ballfields sets a bad example for young people.
Brunner said he called an attorney with Kansas Association of School Boards and was told the city and/or school district could be liable if someone was hurt or killed as a result of alcohol being permitted.
The attorney suggested the city or district negotiate a lease agreement with adult teams, Brunner said.
After a lengthy discussion, a motion was made directing Superintendent Jerri Kemble to visit with a KASB attorney regarding the matter to determine the best course of action. The motion passed, 4-2, with Jeff Bina and Terry Deines opposed.
Deines felt the issue was not the district’s business, and Bina was concerned that a lease would increase, rather than decrease, the district’s liability.
Five interested Tampa patrons — Mayor Jim Clemmer, Dee Duggan, Paul Backhus, and Gary and Carole Spohn — were on hand to observe the discussion and see what, if any, action would be taken.
The board has time to consider the matter before ballfields are used again next spring.
In other matters, the board:
- Approved an audit report from Clubine and Rettele.
- Heard a report on school facilities (see separate article).
- Approved an H1N1 preparedness plan.
- Approved attendance of foreign exchange student Wei Chao “Justin” Tang as a junior at Centre High School. Phil and Jamie Peterson are his hosts.
- Employed Karen Nickel as high school assistant volleyball coach.
- Appointed Jesse Brunner as a delegate to the KASB Convention Dec. 4-6 in Overland Park.
- Approved a garden project in cooperation with Whispering Cottonwood Farm Educational Center, Salina.
Principal Nadine Smith announced two calendar changes: FFA Livestock, Floriculture, and Ag Mechanics CDEs have been rescheduled from March 31 to April 17 at Hutchinson; Centre FFA will hold a blood drive April 23 in addition to the one already scheduled for Nov. 6.
Board members agreed to meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 9 in the high school library to review and discuss goals. The regular monthly meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m.