Staff writer
The Centre USD 397 Board of Education approved a business plan presented Monday by Beka Basore and Anna Weber, students of Lisa Beye and members of Future Business Leaders of America.
Operating out of an expanded concession stand in the high school commons, the business, Centre Perk, will provide district students, staff, and visiting community members with a source of quality snacks and drinks.
The business will be owned by Centre High School with students serving as employees. A grand opening is planned for Aug. 23. Basore and Weber, who will be seniors, will serve as managers.
The concession stand will include a coffee shop offering coffee, cappuccino, hot chocolate, tea, lemonade, and smoothies along with snacks of cereal, trail mix, fruit, granola bars, and fresh-baked pastries.
Centre Perk hours will be from 8 to 8:30 a.m. school days and during evening and weekend school events. The money raised will be deposited into the activity fund.
The board approved a loan of $5,000 for startup. The money will come from vocational funding. The business is projected to be profitable in three years.
Basore and Weber have entered their business plan into a FBLA state contest.
Other business
Mallory Jacobs of Holton was hired as school counselor for the next school year. Jacobs is doing postgraduate work at Kansas State University and will graduate this spring with a master’s degree in counseling. She will work 15 extra days this summer to help with virtual school enrollment.
Transporation director Bob Mueller was authorized to purchase 10 radios and a repeater for district transportation vehicles, at a cost not to exceed $8,063. This was in response to a new mandate from the Federal Communications Commission that all licensees move to a new “narrowband” frequency by Dec. 31. Eight other radios will be re-programmed. Mueller said the repeater would be installed on the Agri-Producers elevator in Lincolnville.
A 1995 47-passenger bus equipped with a wheel chair lift will be advertised for sale.
The board approved a payment of $3,274 to Parents as Teachers for fiscal year 2013.
The board accepted the resignation of Dusty Wiegert as technology systems technician effective March 9 and thanked him for his three years of service.
Jerry Butler, a subcontractor for Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas, will be used to provide technology services as needed and train an assistant. The district will advertise for an assistant technician.
The board adopted a policy prohibiting use of school vehicles to pull livestock trailers except for school-owned trailers.
The board approved an audit contract presented by Clubine and Rettele for the fiscal year 2011-12 for $4,800 plus expenses totaling $84.
A district Blue Cross/Blue Shield group health plan for May 1 through April 30, 2013, was approved. The new rates are: single, $316.85; employee/children, $629.60; employee/spouse, $680.33; and employee/family, $984.73.
The board met in executive session for 30 minutes with Kemble to discuss personnel. No action followed in open session.
Kemble reported that Centre High School received the sportsmanship award Thursday at the 1A Division 1 State Basketball Tournament at Emporia.