By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

After a report from facilities manager Richard Idleman on Monday, Centre board of education voted to approve a three-year contract for ALICE online training for teachers and staff for $4,080.

The acronym stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate. The program teaches people how to react to an active shooter incident in their building.

Teachers can log in and take the course at their own pace. After they finish, they will take an online test and print out a certificate for their records.

The course will be updated every year.

The board approved purchase of thermostat-controlled systems in two classrooms for not more than $2,400 per room. Teachers in those classrooms say the rooms get too hot at times. Idleman noted the school’s heating system was installed in 1958.

After Superintendent Susan Beeson suggested a Homeland Security official could conduct a free safety audit of school facilities, the board advised her to schedule a visit from them.

“He would look at everything,” she said.

Transportation director Bob Mueller reported that bus safety might become an issue. At present, buses sit in an open field.

Mueller also reported that every CDL driver would be required to take a course on human trafficking before getting a license renewed.

The board approved a contract with Opaa Food Service for the next school year.

Heather Patton was hired to teach fourth grade next year. Teacher contracts were approved.

After coordinator Susie Kliewer gave a report on the benefits of Parents as Teachers, the board approved $4,657 to continue support of the program. Last year’s contribution was $3,964. Kliewer said the increase was because of loss of some state funding. PAT is serving eight families in the Centre school district.

Kate Basore, Max Svoboda, Cole Srajer, and Braxton Smith attended the meeting with their FBLA supervisor Ashley Courier to request help in attending the national FBLA convention June 28 to July 2 in Baltimore, Maryland. The board approved $2,500 to cover their air fare.

Sixth grade twins Mariah and Michelle Brasch of Herington were approved to enroll at Centre next fall.