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Shirley Gutsch to retire after 40 years years ago

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre USD 397 board of education accepted Monday the resignation of second grade teacher Shirley Gutsch, effective at the end of the 2005-06 school year.

Gutsch has been an instructor within the Centre school district for 40 years.

In her letter of resignation, Gutsch wrote: "I have enjoyed my many years of teaching children in the Centre District. It has been very rewarding to have the support of my former students as parents."

The board also accepted Sharon Matz's decision to resign as a teacher's aide at Centre Elementary School and take a position as para-educator at Centre Junior High School.

After a final review of the science room remodeling project as presented by Mike Carson and Brent Bowman, architects with Bowman, Bowman, Novick, Inc., the board authorized the firm to advertise for bids.

In a 5-2 vote, the board approved purchase of a 71-passenger bus from Midwest Bus Sales with two trade-ins for a net cost of $58,990.52.

The 2007 Freightliner will have a white roof and a total of 73.8 cu. ft. of undercarriage storage.

Jesse Brunner and Mark Heiser opposed the action.

Brunner argued that a 71-passenger bus is more difficult to maneuver in and out of driveways and yards.

"What we have is a need for a 45-passenger bus," he said. "A 53-passenger bus (the alternative presented) would fit our needs more effectively, unless the 71-passenger bus is strictly a sports bus."

Transportation director Steve Smith said most of the district drivers are certified to drive a 71-passenger bus, and turnarounds or backups are uncommon on most routes.

In other business, the board:

— approved a 3:08 p.m. elementary school dismissal and 3:15 p.m. high school dismissal on April 10 to allow setup time for a forensics meet hosted by CHS which will begin at 3:30 p.m.

— adopted a new policy regarding automated external defibrillators and a revised policy on compensation and work assignments.

— approved attendance of foreign exchange student Elvira Medikhanova of Kazakhstan for the 2006-07 school year. She will be hosted by Marcus and Peggy Carlson.

— adopted the republished capital outlay budget of $300,000.

— adopted the proposed 2006-07 school calendar. It calls for a starting date of Aug. 17 and closing date of May 24.

— voted to continue with the present Kansas Blue Cross/Blue Shield Small Group district health insurance plan for a premium of $2,195.74, an increase of 1.15 percent from the previous year.

— approved payment of bills totalng $40,172.38.

The board met with Superintendent Bob Kiblinger in executive session for 40 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Brunner voted against the session.

Scott Gutsch, Greg Wyatt, and Alan Stahlecker were called briefly into the meeting, each at separate times.

After returning to open session, the board directed the superintendent to meet with the parties concerned to resolve the matter brought before them.

Several other executive sessions were held to discuss non-elected personnel, evaluate the superintendent's performance, and discuss certificated staff negotiations.

Kiblinger displayed a plaque the district received from Blue Cross/Blue Shield in appreciation of its 47 years as a customer, dating back to the formation of Centre USD in 1958.

He also announced the district will be required to have a wellness policy in place by July 1. A sample policy has been drawn up. It will be reviewed in April by the two site councils, and final action by the board will be taken at the May meeting.

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