Staff writer
Superintendent Brian Smith told Centre school board members Monday that efforts are being made to expand the number of career pathways available to students. Centre currently has several career and technical education pathway programs in agriculture and business.
Smith said he and several staff members are visiting area schools to see their programs. Lisa Beye, Laura Klenda, and Jay O’Brien are engaged in the application process for new programs.
The district receives additional state aid for each student enrolled in a career or technical education course.
The board spent more than 30 minutes discussing immediate and long-term capital-outlay expenditures. The consensus was that new electrical panels in the control room should take priority.
The board conceded that the 1993 addition eventually will need a new roof, but they advised Smith to hire a roofing contractor to look at the current roof and determine if any temporary fixes are available to give it a few more years.
Smith advised setting aside $25,000 in capital outlay funds for several years to provide money for a new roof.
The board also conceded that new, more efficient lighting could be a cost-saving measure, starting with gym lights.
Lower priority items include resurfacing the parking lot, new air conditioners in the 1993 addition, west windows, stage curtains, exterior doors, and weight-room heater.
Smith noted that new buses now cost around $90,000, which can eat up a big chunk of capital outlay. The 2013-14 budget raised approximately $88,000 in capital outlay.
He reported that more security cameras are being installed in the school, including hallways and toward parking areas.
No actions were taken on capital outlay projects at this time.
After discussion about district goals regarding the Kansas Online Learning Program sponsored by Centre, the board approved a 2014-15 marketing budget of $80,000, up from $57,533 the current year. The district hopes to increase enrollment to 240 or 250.
Smith reported that senior Kevin Lewis qualified for state FFA competition in extemporaneous public speaking.
After a 10-minute executive session with Smith to discuss personnel, the board hired Norma Duerksen of Marion as a part-time elementary classroom aide. She will work 5½ hours a day at $9 an hour.
They hired Annette Nienstedt as a substitute bus driver. She has been driving a route because one of the route drivers was out on medical leave.
The board spent 20 minutes with Smith in executive session to discuss student matters. No action was taken when the meeting reopened.
A kids’basketball program for fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders was approved for six consecutive Saturday mornings at a date to be announced. Alan Stahlecker will be the coach with a compensation of $700.