Speeches will point to district as example of out-of-box thinking

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre USD 397 will gain statewide attention this fall when Kansas gubernatorial candidate Senator Sam Brownback refers to the district during his campaign for governor.

In speeches across the state, Brownback plans to cite the district as an example of a small, 1A school with declining enrollment that went “outside the box” to maintain a viable district.

He will refer specifically to the district’s move to become a virtual school.

On a trip to Washington, D.C., in May, Kemble and other school superintendents had met with officials at the White House to advocate for a virtual school. She also met with Brownback in his office on Capitol Hill.

“I couldn’t see if I had made an impact or not,” she said.

Apparently she had, judging from the response she received from him last week.

Kemble said the Lincoln Interactive virtual program will provide much more subject matter for current students to choose from and will bring students into the district who are home-schooled.

Centre is approved by the state for a statewide program, so anyone residing in Kansas can enroll in the virtual program.

Kemble said she and district employee Vickie Jirak promoted the virtual program at various fairs in the area, and at least 28 families have indicated an interest in the program.

To date, two home-schooled students in the Centre school district have been enrolled. The budget provides for an initial enrollment of 10, but if more apply, funds for the virtual program will need to be increased and the budget will have to be republished, Kemble said.

The district will receive the same state aid for students enrolled in the virtual program as for on-site students. The aid will cover the cost.

Several teachers will receive supplemental pay to monitor the online students. State assessments will be done at Centre.