ELLINWOOD — Five Ellinwood High School stsudent and sponsor Lorie Betts will be attending the national Future Business Leaders of America conference in Florida for winning competitions at the state conference earlier this year in Topeka, the USD 355 school board heard at its meeting on Monday night.
Those attending will be Kayla Schartz, Chelsea Churchill, Rachel Morales, Kit Felke, Shelbi Trarbach and Lorie Betts, advisor. The school will front travel costs and then will be reimbursed as the students raise money. A promissory note was signed to ensure repayment of the funds.
During patron reports, a group of students spoke on behalf of physical education teacher Bill Duncan. They said he was an amazing coach and p.e. teacher. Students filled the Ellinwood Community/School Library, and many of the students wore T-shirts in favor of retaining Duncan. In addition, a parent spoke on his behalf.
After an executive session, Duncan’s contract was non-renewed by the board.
The board approved a driver’s education class to be taught by Bill Maddy. The cost for students will be $125 for in-district students, and the state will reimburse an additional $75 per student. The cost to out-of-district students is $175.
Superintendent Ben Jacobs reported that the class is break-even for the district. The school will lease the driver’s ed vehicles from Dove Chevrolet Buick Pontiac Cadillac in Great Bend.
USD 355 will hold two classes this summer at EGS— targeted reading taught by Evelyn Stegman and kindergarten jump-start teacher Molly Cherry.
A group of teachers will meet in June to prepare materials for the MTSS program for next year. EGS Principal Eric Sjogren informed the school that it would take a lot of preplanning for the program.
Jacobs gave an updated budget report. He anticipates an additional cut this year and cuts next year with no relief in sight.
In other business, the board:
•Heard a report from Ellinwood District Hospital in regards to plans for facility improvements or rebuilding.
•Heard a report from the Friends of Cheyenne Bottoms who will provide a second grade education day county-wide at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center on Sept. 1.
•Approved membership in the Kansas Association of School Boards and legal assistance fund.
•Approved the 2011-12 boe meeting dates. The board will have a new meeting time at 6 p.m.
•Heard the school will sell surplus items at the city-wide garage sale.
•The board accepted the resignation of Lisa Baker, aide, and Monte Doll, athletic director position only . A contract was issued for Katie Hook as first grade teacher.
