Staff writer
Sharon Simons, the kindergarten through 12th-grade secretary at Centre USD 397, was re-assigned Monday by the board of education to train for the board clerk position. The current board clerk, Peggy Falen, plans to retire when Simons has completed her training.
Simons will receive $18 an hour during the training period. The board will advertise for a new K-12 secretary.
The action to reassign Simons came after a 30-minute executive session with Falen and Superintendent Jerri Kemble to discuss personnel.
The board also met in a 15-minute executive session to discuss certificated staff negotiations.
The board approved a 2 p.m. dismissal for Feb. 2 to allow preparation for regional scholars’ bowl at Centre, which will begin at 4 p.m.
The board denied a request from Centre FFA to pull a livestock trailer to the National Western Stock Show in Denver using one of the district’s Suburbans. The FFA had planned to send six students and 11 hogs to the show.
Technology director Dusty Wiegert assisted board members in setting up e-mail accounts at usd397.com.
TEEN Mash-up
Kemble reported that Centre personnel will be presenting at the annual Technology Excellence in Education Network Mash-up Monday at Herington High School. The event brings together teachers from the five TEEN school districts — Herington, Centre, Peabody-Burns, Marion-Florence, and Hillsboro — to promote technology in the classroom.
Wiegert will give a workshop on photo editing and other technology tips. A teacher team will present a workshop on self-regulated learning. Several third- and fourth-grade students will demonstrate the use of i-Pads in the classroom.
MCSEC reports
David Shepherd, executive director of Marion County Special Education Cooperative, presented updates. He said several heating and cooling units need to be replaced on the building in Marion. In addition, an energy audit will be conducted.
He reported that three new special education personnel were hired recently, including a school psychologist, a speech pathologist, and a special education teacher. All are local residents. He said an interdisciplinary autism team has been established because of the prevalence of autism among children.
Shepherd encouraged board members to support State Senate Bill 111, which would repeal a provision for census-based funding for special education approved in the 2011 legislative session. He said special education directors are not in favor of census-based funding.
Shepherd reported that Prairie View is using the Marion facility part-time to conduct family therapy sessions.
He said the east wing of the building is not being utilized and is available for lease.
Kemble reported the district has finalized its end of the sale of the Lost Springs facility to the City of Lost Springs. She said the district’s custodial service IServe removed old files to the district office and other items to a leased storage container.