Student achievement ranks high in Centre district
Centre board of education has set short-term and long-term goals for the district.
A tabulation of individual board members' priorities was reviewed Monday at the board's monthly meeting. It revealed a consensus that student achievement is number one.
Student achievement includes planning for required changes brought about by federally-mandated Quality Performance Accreditation and No Child Left Behind initiatives. It also includes developing and/or maintaining a well-balanced curriculum and broadening opportunities for students.
School finance also ranked high on the list of priorities.
The board is in the process of establishing an education foundation to support the district. Kiblinger was directed to continue to work with the district's attorney, David Shriver, to bring it about.
A third priority is to maintain positive and open lines of communication with students, other board members, administration, teachers, and staff.
The board discussed meeting at different locations in the district to encourage patrons to attend. Kiblinger said he would arrange for meetings in one or two other locations this year.
One long-term goal pertains to personnel and staffing, including adequate training and preparation to fill key vacancies.
In another matter, the board discussed expenses incurred with the Centre summer ball program, especially the cost of providing electricity to ball diamonds at Lincolnville, Tampa, and Burdick.
The 2003-04 electricity costs were $1,200.14 at Tampa, $1,514.33 at Lincolnville, and $256.47 at Burdick. Six teams used the fields: boys 11-12, T-ball, and coach-pitch at Tampa, T-ball and coach-pitch at Lincolnville, and boys 9-10 at Burdick.
Other costs included: equipment $132.53; insurance $483; and team fees, $320; for a total cost of $3,906.47.
Other summer costs include salaries for bus drivers to transport children to swimming classes, $493.98; and teachers to supervise a weights program, $969.81.
Board member Jesse Brunner was concerned about the misuse of lights at Tampa. He said they sometimes are used until late at night. He wondered if the money could be used better elsewhere.
Leona Hajek and Jennifer Kassebaum said they see the expenditure for electricity as a service to the community and a way to promote good public relations. Hajek said adults keep the fields up.
Both agreed ball fields should be monitored to make sure they are used correctly and not extravagantly.
Kiblinger suggested turning electricity costs back to the communities and setting a stipend to give each of them. He said he will contact governing entities in Tampa and Lincolnville and Glenn Carlson at Burdick and get feedback.
No action was taken.
