ELLINWOOD — USD 355 board of education recently met with many items on the agenda.
Some questions arose about students playing two sports at the same time and coaches trying to influence the student one way or the other. Jacobs said, “Every district I’ve been at, it has been highly volatile.” This was discussion only and will be added to the next school board agenda.
In the superintendent’s report, Jacobs said that there has been 720,000 visits to the school’s Ihigh site. “It’s phenomenal.”
The new recreation commission steering committee met on March 8 to discuss what facilities the district was willing to commit to use by the recreation commission, according to Jacobs. The next meeting is scheduled for April 12.
In his report, Principal Eric Sjogren estimated 25-30 students will be in kindergarten next year, which would give the school district 200 plus students next year.
The board discussed the school calendar. It was suggested that school start after Labor Day to save money. No decisions were made.
Under new business, the board learned the special education bus has fractures in the engine. The broad approved soliciting bids for a new bus.
The board approved the purchase of a new lawn mower for $18,900. The old one was leaking fluids.
Also under new business, a closed lunch for high school students was suggested for safety reasons.
“There are too many safety issues and too many bad decisions,” said Jacobs. “It is my job to keep kids safe.” He reported that almost every school in Kansas has a closed lunch. The board took no action, but discussed adding more food options such as a salad bar.
Richard Doll,  along with other board members, was against providing games at lunch time for the students. “They need to learn to talk to each other,” he said.
The board discussed having middle school vocal music be an elective instead of a required class. The board took no action.
The board discussed having a town hall meeting with the community to discuss the future of athletics in the district. Greg Baker said, “We need to get everyone on the same page. Kids need to know the expectations of high school.” No date was set.
In final business after an executive session, the board accepted the resignation of Carol Near at the end of the 2012-13 school year.