USD 408 to consider set production class years ago
Sports reporter
Marion High School principal Jim Piper and MHS vocal music instructor Kevin Moler pitched the idea Monday at the Marion-Florence USD 408 regular board meeting of a set production class for students that would count as a fine arts credit.
Piper said students must now take an art or choir class to fulfill that requirement, but not all students are talented in those two areas.
"This gives them an opportunity to do something they like," he said.
The students in the class would be responsible for set up, production, and clean up for activities in the new district auditorium.
They also could run lighting and sound boards.
USD 408 board member Sarah Cope asked Moler if he thought this class, which would be limited to 10 or 12 students, would take away from the choir?
Moler responded it may take some out of the art or choir classes, but it would be the ones who do not want to be there in the first place.
Board president Chris Sprowls wanted to make sure students would have clear expectations of what was expected.
That could include extra hours before or after school hours setting up for productions.
Moler said that would be clear, and that not every student would have to come outside of school for each event.
Moler also after talking with his students there is an interest.
"It fills a need," Piper said.
Leiker and the board agreed to discuss the possibility of adding the class, and will bring it to next month's meeting.
In other business:
— The board accepted the resignation of Sheila Anderson as Marion Elementary School aide, and Carole Ferguson as MHS English instructor.
— The board unanimously voted to renew a five-year vocational agreement with Newton USD 373.
The current contract ends this year, and right now MHS has one student attending the welding program.
Leiker said even though the contract was renewed, USD 408 did not have to participate, and would not lose any money if no one participated.
— The board approved hiring MHS math instructor Kelly Robson as assistant varsity baseball coach.
— Leiker discussed the possibility of adding a 225-foot fence on Marion Baseball/Softball Complex field B.
The chain-link fence, which does not dig into the ground, takes 20-30 minutes to fold up and store.
It would be used for MHS softball games because the 225-foot distance is standard for most high school softball fields.
It also would be used for the 12-and-under Cal Ripken baseball regional tournament this summer.
The fence would cost approximately $7,000.
MHS activities director Tod Gordon also mentioned a mesh fence that would cost about $1,000, but would not last as long as the chain-link fence.
USD 408 rents the fields from the City of Marion for $2,000 per year.
The board agreed to talk about the possibility of the fence and tabled it for next month's meeting.
— Marion resident Bob Maxwell gave his opinion to the board on the USD 408 proposed grading scale change.
Maxwell was not in favor of a change, and felt if the scale was lowered it also would lower students' expectations.
At this time the board has made no indication of a change.
