HOISINGTON — To promote awareness of the Barton County-wide teen binge drinking problem, the Hoisington City Council and USD 431 will have a joint meeting on Jan. 3, 2011 at the Hoisington Activity Center. The state-wide Communities That Care survey showed that Barton County is higher than state average in binge drinking and liquor during the last 30 days.
The Hoisington High and Middle School student councils and the ministerial alliance will be invited to be present.
Superintendent Bill Lowry presented the CTC data for Hoisington to the USD 431 school board on Monday night. In 2010, 41.7 percent of Hoisington High School students used alcohol in the last 30 days, while the state-wide number was 25.6 percent. The percentage of Hoisington students who reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days was 13.2 percent, while the state averages was 9.8 percent.
"We want to help kids make better decisions," said Lowry. "We can use this data to our benefit."
He added, "It changes every year."
There is some positive news in that USD 431 showed that rates of smoking marijuana in the last 30 days were half of the state average.
In other business, the board approved the district moving from the traditional 403(b) retirement plan to the 403(b) Essdack plan which will offer mutual funds more similar to a 401(k). They will offer Roth 403(b) option which is an after tax salary deferral.
Grant Lane with Ameritime was present to explain the plan.
Industrial Arts teacher Tyrel Coker along with three students who attended the Leadership Skills conference in Nebraska reported on their trip.
In the superintendent’s report, he said three board positions will be open for the April election with a filing deadline of Jan. 25. The positions held by Becky Mooney, Mike Kaiser and Dean Stoskopf will be open.
In addition, Lowry said the school will republish its budget due to receiving more funds from increased enrollment.
He reported that the shcool parent groups have decided not to fund Schools for Fair Funding association.
In final business, the board approved:
•Tim Woodcock’s resignation as middle school wrestling assistant.
•approved Bob Rome’s contract for HMS wrestling assistant.
•hired Lyndsay Kruckenburg as pre-school teacher’s aid.
