Centre superintendent resigns
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At its Monday meeting, Centre USD board of education accepted the resignation of Robert Kiblinger as superintendent/K-12 principal, effective June 29, 2007.
Kiblinger said he will qualify for KPERS retirement at that time.
The board also accepted the resignation of Kathy Davis as assistant scholars' bowl coach.
Ag instructor Gaea Wimmer and students Nellie Hill and Kristine Jirak presented information about the ag program at Centre High School. It includes classroom instruction, FFA, and hands-on projects in SAE (supervised ag education).
Nine general agriculture courses and five agricultural mechanics courses are offered. At least 70 students participate in ag classes, for a total enrollment of 134.
Jirak is president of the south central district of the FFA, and Hill is secretary. As district officers, they will host the greenhand conference and district banquet at Centre. They also reported on their participation this summer in the National FFA Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
Wimmer showed a short video of a tribute to Centre FFA chapter which was televised on RFD TV Labor Day weekend.
First grade teacher Ashley Mueller was allowed to advance on the salary scale because of undergraduate courses she took this summer related to early childhood.
Architect Mike Carson reported installation of lab tables in the new science lab almost is complete. A door and whiteboard are on back order but are expected to arrive within two weeks.
Nancy Brockmeier was granted permission to attend the National Middle School Association's annual conference, Nov. 2-4, in Nashville, Tenn. Transportation, lodging, and substitute pay expenses will be paid by the district.
Russ Hake and Chad Tischhauser were approved to attend a technology conference Nov. 8-10 in Dallas, Texas, with expenses covered by the district.
Jesse Brunner was appointed as the board's delegate to the KASB convention Dec. 1-3 in Wichita. Leona Hajek also plans to attend.
The board reviewed a letter from Chris Cezar, executive director of Marion County Special Education Co-op, in which he outlined the series of events which have been taking place regarding special ed facilities.
The letter clarified that the reason the lease amount with Marion school district was increased from $3,000 to $50,000 for the 2006-07 school year was because USD 408 has accepted responsibility for maintaining the buildings in Florence.
Centre's special ed representative Clark Davis said the MCSEC board continues to study the facilities issue and is weighing its options. He said it would cost "well over $1 million" to bring the Florence buildings up to code. Other possible sites are being investigated.
