Centre school board approves foundation
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Articles of Incorporation establishing the Centre Education Foundation were approved Jan. 10 by the board of education of Centre USD #397.
According to Article II, the not-for-profit corporation was organized "to enhance the basic public support of the educational programs and goals of Centre Unified School District for the benefit of students."
Membership is open to all patrons of the district and is not subject to payment of a fee or other prerequisite.
Serving as trustees until the first annual meeting and elections in July are: Superintendent Robert L. Kiblinger, Jesse Brunner of Tampa, Jennifer Kassebaum of Burdick, Betty Bevan of Lost Springs, Terry Vinduska of Marion, Tracy Brunner of Ramona, and Ed Belton of Tampa.
A copy of the by-laws may be obtained at the district office in Lost Springs.
In other business,
— Kiblinger announced a change in the billing rate, effective Jan. 1, at ball diamonds at Lincolnville, Tampa, and Burdick to "recreational lighting."
Kiblinger met with a Westar Energy representative on Dec. 20, who informed him under the new designation, the "demand charge" is dropped, resulting in substantial savings in utility bills.
Clerk Peggy Falen said she figures Lincolnville's yearly cost will go from $1,323 to less than $250, and Tampa's bill will drop from $1,266 to approximately $600.
The district has been receiving and paying the utility bills in support of the summer ball program. The board took no action at this time to change that practice.
On hand for the discussion were Tom Leihy and Donald Mueller of Tampa, Lincolnville Mayor Victor Burns, and Glenn Carlson of Burdick.
— The board met in executive session for five minutes with Kiblinger to discuss a student matter.
Upon returning to open session, they approved out-of-district attendance of Rebecca Casey, who lives in Chase County. Rebecca will be a kindergartner in the fall.
They also approved attendance of Joseph Legg, who currently is in kindergarten at Centre and recently moved to Marion.
A request from Casey Park and his father Charles Park to grant Casey permission to attend Centre High School during the second semester was denied. Casey resides in the Marion-Florence school district.
— In a 5-2 vote, the board approved purchase of a 2004 IHC 71-passenger bus from National Bus of Tulsa, Okla., for $52,000, and tabled the sale of a used bus. The superintendent also was authorized to seek a higher bid for the used bus. Jesse Brunner and John Garrard voted against the motion.
— The board approved purchase of athletic supplies and equipment totaling $6,675.07.
— The board contracted with Dreier's Lawn Sprinkling Service to install an underground watering system on practice fields at Centre Middle/High School for an amount not to exceed $5,200.
— Several policy revisions were approved.
A 20-minute executive session including Kiblinger and Falen was held to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations. No action was taken when regular session resumed.
The superintendent distributed certificates of appreciation to board members to acknowledge School Board Recognition month.
