2000 - 2001 BOARD MINUTES ARCHIVES

Disclaimer: These notes are not the official records of Board of Education meetings. The official record of the meetings are the Board minutes, which are on file at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum, Hutchinson, KS, 67501.
 

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June 25, 2001

Board approves sale of Winans
The USD 308 Board of Education voted 6-0 Monday, June 25, 2001, to sell the majority of the Winans school property to a local church.

Grace Christian Church bid $7,500 for the building and the majority of the property with a small strip of land sold to David and Lucille Troyer for $500. The Troyers’ home is adjacent to the school property.

Grace Christian’s bid indicated the property would be used for additional space to serve youth and children in the community. The Troyers wanted a buffer strip between their land and the Winans property.

Two other individuals made bids on the Winans property. David Aumiller bid $10,000 but later withdrew the bid. Vernon Grice made bids, but on checking with the district’s lawyer, district officials determined the way his final bid was structured did not meet requirements for sealed bids. Grice had bid the building’s assessed valuation – which was listed at $1,205,600 – or $1,000 more than any other bid offered. Grice later withdrew the assessed valuation bid and was told his final bid of $1,000 more than the highest bid was not an acceptable method of making a sealed bid.

The assessed value of Winans was last set in 1989, said Jim Siemens, Reno County appraiser. While owned by the school district the property is exempt from taxation.

The bids were opened June 19. The Board voted at its June 11 meeting to seek sealed bids on the building.

Winans was closed after the 1999-2000 school year because of declining enrollment. The K-6 school had 122 students its final year of operation.

The Board also approved the integrated learning system proposal from CompassLearning Inc., formerly known as Jostens and spending technology bond money to pay for the system.

The implementation of an integrated learning system for all K-8 schools was part of the $4.7 million bond issue Hutchinson voters approved last fall. District schools had used both CompassLearning and the Computer Curriculum Corp. system. A third system, Plato, also was evaluated by a district ILS committee.

The CompassLearning bid cost $480,028 for software and $63,700 for training.

The Board also heard reports on the new Hutchinson Middle School configuration, a tabulation of response sheets on the district’s Strategic Plan and on improvements in the district’s personnel office.

In 1999, the Board created a unified Hutchinson Middle School with separate seventh and eighth grade buildings, beginning with the 2000-01 school year.

Randy Norwood, principal at HMS-7, reviewed results for the 2000-01 school year, which were positive when compared to the former Sherman and Liberty middle schools. Among the findings:

State assessments went up in math and were maintained in reading

The average number of students making the honors rolls increased (335 vs. 300)

The number of students retained a grade decreased (1 vs. 12)

The number of students participating in activities increased (1,075 vs. 866)

The number of disciplinary actions decreased (238 vs. 300)

Additionally, a survey of parents showed an initial satisfaction rate of slightly dissatisfied, which improved to being slightly satisfied by year’s end.

The Board received a 98-page summary of public responses to the district’s Strategic Plan. Since the Board formally received a draft of the Strategic Plan April 23, 15 meetings with school and community groups have been held as well as sessions with the district’s staff.

No action was taken on the Strategic Plan.

The final report was on improvements in the district’s Personnel Department. Director for Personnel Steve Miller discussed changes his department has made during the past year, including the revision of several of the district’s employee handbooks and the creation of a hiring procedures handbook.

In other action, the Board also held separate executive sessions, on consulting with its attorney, personnel and negotiations, totaling 40 minutes.

Personnel

Hired

Certified

Shirley Humes, reading specialist/Title I at McCandless
Alyson Tubbs, class size reduction – grades 2 and 3 at Lincoln
Ashley Grooms, special education math at HHS
Kent Mayfield, art at HMS-8
Christina Reeves, permanent sub for the district
Joe Stenson, special education/BD at HMS-8
Judy Snyder, counselor at HMS-8
Andrea Carlton, class size reduction teacher at McCandless
Classified

Jerod Prother, computer support technician at the Tech Support Center
Desaree Recker, building custodian at Morgan
Ralph Shepher, building custodian at HMS-7
Bryan Bornoldt, ISS monitor/book clerk at HHS
Ranald Miller, food service delivery at the Warehouse
Bonnie Israel, bus aide for Head Start
Honnan Collier, teacher assistant for Head Start
Resignations

Classified

Erna Beach, food service at HMS-7
Position Changes

Christina Palmer, teacher assistant for Head Start from para for Head Start
Cassie Rice, teacher assistant/FSW for Head Start from teacher assistant for Head Start
Gidget Watson, teacher assistant/FSW for Head Start from teacher assistant for Head Start
Mel Miller, secretary to the assistant superintendent for operations from PAT secretary

Recognitions

Future Problem Solvers Place at International Competition

The Hutchinson High School Intermediate Future Problem Solving Team earned second place honors on their future problem solving booklet and earned second place on their presentation of action plan.

HHS Graduate Places at NCFL Grand National Tournament

Rosa Vigil advanced to the semifinals at the National Catholic Forensics League Grand National Tournament in New York City.


Monday’s meeting was the final for Board Member Ken Vogel. Board Member Bill Drews, who also is leaving the Board, was not present at Monday’s meeting. Both completed four-year terms on the Board. During the Board’s next regular meeting at 7 p.m. July 9, David Hindman and Jeff Nichols will take their new seats on the Board, and Darla Neal will begin her second four-year term.


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June 11, 2001

Board approves procedure to sell Winans

The USD 308 Board of Education voted 7-0 Monday to proceed with a plan to sell the Winans Elementary School property.

Under the resolution, the district will take bids for the property, reserving the right to review all proposals and reject any offer based on the potential buyer’s future use of the property. Residents in the area have expressed concern about what kind entity might occupy the property.

The Board is scheduled to review any proposals for the sale of the Winans property at its June 25 meeting.

When the facility was closed after the 1999-2000 school year, it had 122 students. In contrast, the school had 412 students in 1963-64. Students from Winans had their choice of any of the district’s other nine elementary schools.

Also Monday, the Board approved piloting a software program that could give Hutchinson High School parents quicker feedback on the progress of their students.

The Board voted to spend $46,000 to pilot PowerSchool Student Information Management System at HHS. PowerSchool is a web-based student management program that will provide additional tools for parents, teachers and administrators over the current program, which has proven to be inadequate and cumbersome.

The system, itself, costs $23,000 for implementation at HHS, but the district has opted to purchase additional days of training to ensure the program is implemented correctly, bringing the total cost to $46,000.

The Board also approved changes in certain fees and the cost of school meals. Student lunches at the elementary, middle and high school level will increase 10 cents each. There will be no changes for student breakfast prices or to adult meal prices.

In terms of fees, the following fees were changed or increased.

HMS-7

· Change Computer Skills from $10/semester to $5/quarter

· Add Social Studies fee of $5/year to cover costs of materials for Project Reach

HHS

· Add Advanced Broadcasting fee of $12/year

· Add Fundaments of Broadcast Journalism fee of $5/trimester

· Add Cisco Networking fee of $10/year

· Change Recreational Activities fee from $10 to $12/trimester.

In other action the Board:

· Added Dana Lueger, supervisor for nutrition services, as an authorized representative of USD 308’s School Nutrition Program.

· Held separate executive sessions on personnel and negotiations, totaling 55 minutes.


Personnel

The Board declined to accept the resignation of Paula Long, psychologist with the Educational Service Center, because a suitable replacement had not been found. Under personnel actions the Board accepted:

Hired

Certified

· Ed Bambick, drafting teacher at HHS

· Aaron Craig, special education – BD – at HHS

· Ginger Ellegood, special education teacher at Head Start

· Glenn Fortmayer, principal at Avenue A

· Jamie Justice, English at HHS

· Eric Lolar, special education teacher at HHS

· Laura McLemore, principal at McCandless

Classified

· Elayne Doty, co-manager HHS kitchen

· Carol Renner, bus driver

Retirements

Certified

· Lavonne Farney, fifth grade at Lincoln

· Theresa Ellen Green, reading specialists at McCandless

· Alma Herl, TACS at HMS-8



Resignations

Certified

· Pennie Bechard, art at HMS-8

· Julia Barnard, transitional kindergarten at Allen

· Susan Combs, special needs vocational teacher at HHS

· Leanna Herndon, English at HHS

· Timothy Herndon, band at HHS, Graber and Morgan

· Charisse Hostetler, BD at Wiley

· Fred Long, social studies teacher

· Cathy Naden, sixth grade teacher at Graber

· Gary Nelson, principal at HMS-8

· Kristin Spicer, Title I at Allen

· Brandi Stephenson, LD teacher at HHS

Classified

· Sue Cain, secretary to the superintendent

· Jennifer Garland, teacher assistant at Head Start

· Gary Getting, playground supervisor at Graber

· Mary Hunt, para at McCandless

· Kurt Kennedy, bus driver

· Rhonda Partridge, Parents As Teachers

· Georgia Premer, transition facilitator at Head Start

· Rachel Ragoza, Title I educational aide at St. Teresa’s

· Justin Romesburg, custodian at HMS-7

· Edwin Royer, ISS monitor at HHS

Relocations

Certified

· Zane Jackson, to South Hutchinson from the Hutcherson Center for Head Start

· Patricia Joan Liles, English teacher to HMS-8 from HMS-7

· Molly Perser, Title I teacher from Title I educational aide at St. Teresa’s

· Jeff Yoder, BD teacher to Wiley from HMS-8

Classified

· Susan Richardson Guy, Head Start teacher assistant to Nickerson from the Hutcherson Center

· Susan Klein, head custodian to Faris from Roosevelt

· Ralph Palacio, head custodian at Morgan from custodian at Morgan

Transfer

· Molly Robinson, to secretary to superintendent from accounts receivable

Non-Renewed

· Christina Murphy, para

· Denise Stewart, para

· Sharon Thacker, breakfast/lunch supervisor

· Beverly Weesner, para

· Karen Whited, para

Terminations

· Myrna Cole, food service at HHS

Recognitions

Probation Officer of the Year

Court Services Officer Joe Hammeke, has been named Probation Officer of the Year by the Kansas Association of Court Services Officers. Hammeke is the first court services officer to be placed at Hutchinson High School.


Gifts

· Network Management Group, Inc., donated a special School Safety Kit to USD 308.

· The Hutchinson Recreation Commission donated a single pass to the Salt City Splash for all students and staff of Allen Elementary School.

· The Helen and Dale Critser Fund for Education donated $500 through the Hutchinson Community Foundation for a grant, written by Leticia Alere for her Accelerated Reading Enrichment Project at McCandless Elementary School.

· South Central Kansas Library System donated a general technology grant for $300 to McCandless Elementary School. The remaining $300 will be taken from library funds to purchase a copier for the library.

· Contributions were made by the following groups for the new neon sign at the HHS Salthawk Activities Center:

Student Council; HHS Booster Club; HHS Alumni Association; Harper and Johnson Investment Co.

· Kevin Kneisley received a Critser Grant for $500 for the Anne Frank Exhibit.

· Victor Wilkinson received a Critser Grant for $500 for a heritage trunk on Mexican history.

· Martin Vieyra received a Critser Grant for $500 for a hands-on phonics program at Wiley Elementary School.

· McCandless Elementary School received a Critser Grant for $500 for Accelerated Reader.

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. June 25, 2001, at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum.


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May 14, 2001

Board hires helping teachers
Though it may have been an “asterisk” item for routine approval on the agenda, a decision Monday (May 14, 2001) by the USD 308 Board of Education brought the district in line with elite schools across the country.

The Board approved hiring three helping teachers – Cindy Cooprider, Andrea Fisher and Beth Redinger – as part of its consent agenda. The helping teachers mark a new program for the district, one employed by top districts across the country as a way for master teachers to work with their peers.

“We are beginning a new era,” said Dr. Wynona Winn, USD 308 superintendent. “This will provide resources for which teachers have been.”

The teachers will be able to provide a wide range of assistance to the districts approximately 400 classroom teachers. A teacher, for example, may ask for help in designing a lesson plan to take advantage of the district’s new technology tools. Another teacher may have a challenging student for whom traditional discipline techniques have not worked.

The bulk of the funding for the three teachers will come from federal and other grants. The equivalent of about a half salary will come from the district’s general fund.

During the 2000-01 school year, Mary Smith has been a helping teacher for the Special Education staff.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board approved a second major element out of last fall’s $4.7 million technology bond issue. The Board approved a five-year lease between the district and Cox Communications to provide a 100-megabit fiber optic wide area network. The fiber optic lines will allow all the district’s computers to communicate together on a high-speed network.

The lease will cost the district about $5,740 annually above current spending and above the amount expected to be reimbursed from the federal government through the E-Rate program.

The Board also approved a new program for the district’s Title I schools, which was piloted at McCandless Elementary School. The Splash Swimming Program provides four 45-minute swim lessons for second graders.

During the swim lessons, the second graders will learn about responsibility, water safety topics and swimming skills. Elementary schools involved in the program for 2001-02 will be McCandless, Lincoln, Faris, Avenue A and Allen.

In other action the Board:

· Approved an auditing contract with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle, Certified Public Accountants, to audit Medicaid payments.

· Approved summer school classes for 2001.

· Approved the capital outlay plan for 2001-02.

· Designated Molly Robinson as deputy clerk of the board.

· Approved a contract to lease copy machines for the district’s central copying facility and Hutchinson High School from Wilbur Walker for 60 months for $6,615.15.

· Held two executive sessions, totaling 25 minutes, on personnel and on confidential data.

· Heard an end of year report from YouthFriends.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel items.

Hired

Classified

· Jeff Ditgen, vocational special needs teacher at HHS

· Michael Ellegood, principal at HMS-8

· Carla Smalley, school psychologist

· Anne Willis, teacher for learning disabilities students at HMS-7

Classified

· Cecilia Herpich, permanent sub at HMS-8

Retirements

Classified

· Orville West, head custodian at Faris Elementary School

· Ken Smith, head custodian at Morgan Elementary School

Resignations

Certified

· Diane Fast, music teacher

· Sheila Meggers, music teacher

· Laura Mourn, second and third grade teacher at Lincoln

Classified

· Twila Donovan, PAT parent educator

· Scott Kelly, assistant custodian at Allen

· Belinda Vierthaler, lunch aide at Head Start

Relocations

· Mark Bartell, counselor, to McCandless from Avenue A/Roosevelt

· Cindy Cooprider, first grade teacher at Roosevelt, becomes helping teacher

· Andrea Fisher, Unit C teacher at Faris, becomes helping teacher

· Beth Redinger, second grade teacher at McCandless, becomes helping teacher

· Barbara Phillips, counselor, to Avenue A/Roosevelt from McCandless

Gifts

The Board approved the following gift.

· $500 anonymously to McCandless Elementary School to be used to purchase books for the library.

Recognitions

The Board made the following recognitions.

Broadcast Students Excel at Nationals

The Board will recognize Hutchinson High School students who placed at the recent Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association National Convention. Sally Bridge is the broadcast journalism teacher at HHS.

Elementary Video Projects Win at Festival

The Board will recognize students at Wiley and Roosevelt Elementary Schools for their awards at the recent Fort Hays State University Multimedia Festival.

The Board’s next regular meeting will be June 11, 2001.


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April 23, 2001

Board approves classified pay plan
The USD 308 Board of Education approved a new pay plan for classified employees Monday (April 23, 2001) that is designed to bring about more equity.

The Classified Employees Council has been working on the plan throughout the 2000-01 school year. The plan is not unlike the stepped plan used for certified staff, rewarding classified staffers for additional certifications and years of experience.

The Board approved the measure on a 7-0 vote.

Under the plan, a Level I job with no experience would start at $6.30 per hour and tops out at $9.78 for 30 years of experience. Examples of Level I jobs include paraprofessional substitutes, bus aides and summer grounds workers.

At the top end is Level XIV, which starts at $13 for someone with no experience and advances to $21.80 for an employee with 30 years of experience. Level XIV jobs are certified occupational therapy assistants; certified physical therapy assistants; master electricians, master heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialists; and master locksmiths.

The proposal also includes details about how to place a new employee on the scale, based on education, years of experience in the field and certifications.

The Board approved phasing in the plan over time because of its additional costs.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board approved a motion related to the $4.7 million bond issue voters approved last November.

The Board adopted on a 6-1 vote a recommendation of the district’s Technology Committee on the computer platforms for the district. The recommendation is to place Apple-platform computers in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms with Compaq/PC-compatible-platform computers for grades nine through 12. The only exemptions to this will be special-purpose laboratories, which may require some other platform. Board Member Bill Drews voted against the motion.

The Board voted 7-0 to receive the draft of the district’s strategic plan. By receiving the draft, the Board approved the plan to be taken to the public over the next two months for input before it is formally approved this summer.

The plan covers the Board’s four goals:

§ Increase the academic performance of all students

§ Implement the district technology plan

§ Develop a long-range plan to deal with declining enrollment

§ Recruit, reward, retain qualified employees

Since the Board outlined the four goals in the fall, groups of administrators have developed the plan, providing options to meet the goals.

In other action, the Board formally approved an updated graduation ceremony requirement. Under the approved requirement, the class of 2002 and thereafter must fulfill all graduation requirements before being allowed to walk through graduation line at commencement. Before, students only needed to be enrolled in all classes needed for graduation.

The Board also held separate executive sessions totaling 30 minutes on non-elected personnel issues, building safety and negotiations.

Recognitions

The Board recognized Marty Casey for two awards. She was named the Kansas Family and Consumer Science Association’s Teacher of the year for 2001. Additionally, she and her husband, Dr. Lynn Casey, received the Hutchinson Soroptimist Club’s Making a Difference for Women Award.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Hired

Administrators

· Dr. Connie Clark, assistant superintendent for learning

· Liz Peirce, principal of Roosevelt Traditional Elementary School

Change in Locations for 2001-02

· Fred Long, social studies teacher to HHS from HMS-8

Resignations

Classified

· Shawn Millet, food service at McCandles

· Belinda Vierthaler, lunch aide for Head Start

· Lawrence Zimmerman, food service at the Warehouse

Non-renewals for budgetary reasons


· Chad Criqui, physical education at HMS-7

· Carla Goertzen, Title I at Lincoln

· Jennifer Mendoza, skills for adolescence teacher HMS-7

· Jenise Nelson, communications teacher at HMS-8.

· Kathleen Barker, third grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School

Gifts

· $150 from Kirk and Marty Kenyon for the USD 308 Tennis Fund

· Books valued at $300 from Scholastick Book Fairs for McCandless Elementary School for use in Family Reading Night activities


The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 14, 2001.


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April 9, 2001

Board approves shift in Cosmos Academy
The Cosmosphere Academy will reach out to schools across Kansas when the 2001-02 school year starts.

Monday, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education made a change to allow the academy to shift its focus. The academy will move from a half-day, year-long program for students in Reno County to a multi-visit field trip for schools from across Kansas, said Jeff Ollenburger with the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center.

The formal motion was to request the Kansas State Board of Education revoke the academy’s charter. Under the new program, the academy would not fit Kansas’ charter school law. The academy has been a cooperative venture among the county’s school districts with assistance from the Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas.

The multi-visit field trip concept will supplement science curriculum for schools. The field trips will allow a science class to take a concept and analyze it with hands-on tools.

In another move relating to secondary students, the district heard on first reading a policy change that will tighten its graduation ceremony requirements for the 2002 graduating class. Previously, a student needed only to be “enrolled” in all the necessary classes in order to walk through the graduation line on Memorial Day weekend.

As a result, some students walked through the line but failed to follow up on classes needed to graduate. For example, the class of 2000 had 15 students who were “enrolled” but had not completed all the classes needed for graduation. By August 2000, only three of these students had completed the necessary coursework and by January of this year only six had completed the diploma work.

The new standard will require students to complete all coursework before going through the line at commencement or fulfill all the requirements of a written Individual Education Plan. Parents and students will be informed of the change with a system instituted to monitor student progress toward graduation and limit unwanted surprises for students who may not meet the toughened graduation requirements.

The Board will formally vote on the policy change at the April 23 meeting.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board approved a resolution to non-renew eight teachers or permanent substitute teachers. On March 12, the Board passed a resolution expressing its intent to non-renew the staff members. Those teachers are Chris Bailey, permanent sub; Sherry Ball, permanent sub; Heather Immesote, permanent sub; Candy Lawrence, class-size reduction; Deborah Mullins, class-size reduction; Roberto Rael, class-size reduction; Carol Richerson, class-size reduction; and Staci Ryan, permanent sub.

Additionally, the Board approved a resolution expressing its intent to non-renew five other teachers because of the district’s declining enrollment. Those teachers were Chad Criqui, physical education at HMS-7, Carla Goertzen, Title I at Lincoln; Kirk Holmberg, physical education at Allen; Jennifer Mendoza, skills for adolescence teacher HMS-7; and Jenise Nelson, communications teacher at HMS-8.

During the 1990s, USD 308’s enrollment peaked at 5,333 in 1993-94 and has dropped 567 to 4,766 for the current year. Non-renewing teachers is a two-step process. The educator must first be given notice of the district’s intent to non-renew his contract. After that notice is given, the Board may go ahead and non-renew the contract.

The Board also approved the implementation of an automated substitute calling system provided by AESOP. The system will automate a portion of the requesting substitutes and filling those requests. The systems have options for using either regular telephone lines or the Internet.

Three vendors provided bids for the automated substitute system – AESOP, E-Solutions and CSR. Start-up costs range from $7,500 to $32,712 with annual costs ranging from $3,598 to $6,000. AESOP had both the lowest initial costs ($7,500) with annual operating costs of $6,000. AESOP is both a web- and a telephone-based system.

In other action the Board:

· Adopted textbooks also were adopted for 2001-02, purchasing textbooks for science, instrumental music, vo-tech and Latin.

· Approved a revised calendar for 2001-02. School starts for first through ninth grades on Aug. 16 with high school sophomores through seniors reporting on Aug. 17. The first day of kindergarten is Aug. 20. The final day for classes will be May 23, 2002.

· Heard an Effective Schools Report from Avenue A Elementary School.

· Held separate executive sessions totaling 35 minutes for personnel and negotiations.

Recognitions

The Board recognized the following groups and individuals.

· Kansas Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year

· HHS DECA Students Advance to Internationals

· HHS BPA Students Qualify for Nationals

· HHS Speech and Debate Students Qualify for National Tournaments

· HHS Accepts Resolution from Senate of the State of Kansas

Kevin Kneisley, HHS drama teacher, and the drama class accepted a resolution from the Kansas Senate recognizing the HHS Drama Department for bringing the “Anne Frank: A History for Today” to the state of Kansas. Mr. Kneisley accepted the Board’s recognition on behalf of the drama program and students.

Personnel

Hired

Classified

· Pearl Hignight, third grade aide at Avenue A

Retirements

Certified

· Alice Krehbiel, MR at HMS-7

· Dan Ropp, wood shop at HHS

· Helen Lee, fourth grade teacher at Graber

· Carlee Woodson, secretary for support service at the Administration Center

· David Tyrell, principal at Avenue A Elementary School

Resignations

Certified

· Barb Atha, FACS at HMS-7 and HMS-8

· Jerry East, social studies at HHS

· Kim Stroade, Head Start teacher at Obee

Classified

· Christina Fleming, teacher assistant/FSW at Head Start

· Susan Ocon, bilingual teacher assistant at Head Start

Gifts

The Board accepted the following gifts.

· $300 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to Lincoln Elementary School to be used for the Reading is Fundamental Program.

· $100 to the USD 308 Tennis Fund at the Hutchinson Community Foundation from David and Kevin Gitchell.

· $25 to the USD 308 Tennis Fund at the Hutchinson Community Foundation from Daniel and Regena Garber.

· $300 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to Faris Elementary School to be used for the Reading is Fundamental Program.

· $300 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to Avenue A Elementary School to be used for the Reading is Fundamental Program.

· $200 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to McCandless Elementary School to be used for the Reading is Fundamental Program.

· $129 from Hutchinson Credit Union to McCandless Elementary School for Accelerated Reader tests.

· $750 from the Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, Inc., toward the “Anne Frank: A History for Today” exhibit.

· $200 from the Charles E. Carey Memorial Fund to Allen Elementary School to be used for the Reading is Fundamental Program.

· $258 from first National Bank to McCandless Elementary School for testing disks for the Accelerated Reader program.

· $200 from the Southern Kansas Council of Southwestern Bell Pioneers to Head Start for their Reading is Fundamental Program.



The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 23 at the Administration Center.


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March 12, 2001

Board moves forward with two major initiatives

Board honors state champions
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education celebrated excellence during its meeting Monday, March 12, 2001, honoring two of the top basketball teams in Kansas.

On hand was the Class 6A boys’ championship team, led by Coach Phil Anderson as well as the Class 6A girls’ runner-up team, led by Coach Tom Clark.
The HHS boys’ team was only the ninth large-class school in state history to finish the basketball season undefeated.

Also recognized during Monday’s meeting were members of the state boys’ swim team and the state qualifiers for wrestling.

The basketball teams will be recognized again with a noon community pep rally Friday (March 16) at the Salthawk Activities Center. Friday is Salthawk Day in Hutchinson with school at HHS cancelled for the day.

Prior to the recognitions, Board Member Bill Drews announced that several significant gifts had come through for a large Salthawk sign to be placed on the south side of the Salthawk Activities Center. Ron Sellers of Luminous Neon had agreed to cut the cost of the proposal to $15,000.

Local groups that have agreed to donate to the project include the Booster Club, $5,000, the Alumni Association, $1,000, the HHS Student Council, $3,000 and Harper and Johnston Investment Company, $3,000. Harper and Johnston Investment is owned by HHS alumni Steve Harper and Randy Johnston, Drews said.

The Board voted 7-0 to accept the gifts and to direct staff to proceed with the project.

But the Board’s recognitions weren’t only athletic Monday. March is National Youth Art Month with elementary art teachers Sondra Horning and Kathy Janzen on hand to talk about art in USD 308 schools. Accompanying them were several students and their parents.

The Board also received an Effective Schools Report from Roosevelt Traditional School. Four of the school’s GenY Program students along with Roosevelt Librarian Denise Neighbors were present. The GenY Program pairs up students with teachers. The students coach the teachers on effective technology techniques.

While the early portion of the meeting was a celebration of the good things done by district students and staff, the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday later approved two separate initiatives for district staff, students and facilities designed to create a better learning environment.

The first initiative was to proceed with a detailed look at building needs around the district. Among the needs identified during a recent Board tour of facilities library facilities at Allen; learning disability, English as a second language and library facilities at Avenue A; the courtyard and library at Faris; additional books, a parking area, a drop-off area and modulars for Graber; parking and carpeting at Lincoln; modulars and library improvements at McCandless; concrete work and library improvements at Morgan; carpeting at Roosevelt; modular building concerns and concrete improvements at Wiley; stair treads and storm shelters at the middle schools; and science lab/classroom, library/media center, locker rooms, wrestling practice area and cafeteria at HHS.

Staff will come back to the Board with an estimate of costs, and the Board will set priorities for the projects.

The Board also voted to move forward with the 21st Century Learning Centers proposal, a potentially $750,000 grant over three years that would collaborate with 13 community partners to create five 21st Century Community Learning Centers. These centers would integrate education, health, social service, recreation and cultural programs in five learning centers within the community. These centers would offer expanded day, weekend and summer hours to the community.

The centers would be located at HMS-7, Allen Elementary, Graber Elementary, McCandless Elementary and Wiley Elementary.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board held four executive sessions on personnel, totaling 55 minutes.

After the Board emerged from the fourth executive session, members voted 7-0 to non-renew the contract of Roosevelt Principal Berneice Garcia. At the Feb. 26 meeting, the Board had notified Garcia of its intent to non-renew her contract.

The Board also approved hiring the district’s new Director of Fiscal Management and Business Operations Lori Blakesley. Current Director for Finance and Board Clerk Elaine Bentz has indicated she will retire after the 2001-02 school year, and the Board voted Jan. 8, 2001, to hire the director, giving that individual a year to work with Bentz. Blakesley currently holds a similar position with Haven USD 312.

Personnel

Hired

Administration

· Lori Blakesley, director of fiscal management and business operations

Classified

· Maria Beltran, bookkeeper at the Warehouse

· Larry Grapes, custodian at Faris

· Krystal Hernandez, custodian at Morgan

· Susan M. Ocon, teacher assistant at the Hutcherson Center

Retirements

Certified

· Georgia Decker, Title I

Classified

· Willa West, secretary at Roosevelt

Resignations

Certified

· Chris Newton, Bob Johnson’s Youth Shelter teacher

· Dana Searcy, math at HMS-8

· Gary Nelson, HMS-8 principal

· Tracey Gould, Wiley Elementary School

Classified

· Heather Clark, food service at HMS-8

The following teachers had their contracts non-renewed by resolution that was approved on a 6-1 vote with Board Member Cecilia Pina voting against the resolution. The teachers are part of the federal class-size reduction program or are permanent subs. Until funding for those positions is secure, the Board was told the jobs cannot be offered.

Non-Renewals

· Chris Bailey, permanent sub

· Sherry Ball, permanent sub

· Kathleen Barker, class-size reduction

· Heather Immesote, permanent sub

· Candy Lawrence, class-size reduction

· Deborah Mullins, class-size reduction

· Roberto Rael, class-size reduction

· Carol Richerson, class-size reduction

· Staci Ryan, permanent sub

Gifts to Schools

The following gift has been made.

· $200 from the Robinson Roadrunners of Robinson Elementary School in Augusta to help the McCandless Elementary School families evacuated in the gas explosion. The money was forwarded to the Reno County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Board’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. April 9, 2001, at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum.


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Feb. 26, 2001

Board extends contracts for administrators
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education extended the contracts for most district administrators Monday (Feb. 26, 2001).

After executive sessions totaling 20 minutes, the Board extended the contracts for 30 of the district’s administrators for one year. Previously, Assistant Superintendent for Learning Bob Rathbun had announced his retirement, effective June 30. The Board also extended the contract of Superintendent Wynona Winn for an additional year through the 2002-03 school year.

In a subsequent motion, the Board approved a resolution to notify Berneice Garcia, principal at Roosevelt Traditional Middle School, of its intent to non-renew her contract.

Also during Monday’s meeting, members approved an agreement with the Kansas Joint Utilities Management Program. The two-year agreement is automatically renewed in subsequent years unless the district notifies the Kansas Association of School Boards prior to Feb. 1 of the year it chooses to leave the program.

Districts involved in KJUMP this year enjoyed lower heating costs than districts that were not part of the program. District officials expect the higher heating costs to continue through at least the next two winters.

The Board also received a plaque for the district from the Reno County Chapter of the American Red Cross. On Feb. 2, the district conducted a one-day drive for Red Cross, collecting $1,346.17.

Chapter Director Becky Warner was on hand to present Hutchinson Middle School – Eighth Grade math Teacher Lori Beal with a plaque to recognize the district’s contribution. Beal and her students originated the idea for the one-day campaign.

In other action, the Board approved the Skills for Adolescence course at Hutchinson Middle School – Seventh Grade. Earlier this year, the Board had questions about the course’s content, and Teacher Jennifer Mendoza was on hand to answer those questions along with Principal Randy Norwood.

Mendoza told the Board the class is designed to help seventh graders build self confidence, understand physical changes they may be undergoing, build positive relationships – including relationships with parents – and identify resources for students.

In 2001-02, staff plans to add human growth to the course’s curriculum. Human growth currently is taught as part of the seventh grade science curriculum.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Hired

Classified

· Lisa Butler, medication aide at Graber

· Lydia Sterling, part-time custodian at Grandview

Resignations

Classified

· Ailsha Hernandez, bi-lingual teacher assistant at the Hutcherson Center

· Stella Marquez, bi-lingual teacher assistant at Head Start

· Linda Neher, Day Care Center at HHS

· Ernest Patee, custodian at Faris

· Lora Pisa, family support at Head Start

Certified (effective at end of contract year)

· Jay Gilstrap, building trades instructor at Vo-Tech

· Glenda Ruff, third grade at McCandless

· Dana Searcy, math at HMS-8

Retirements

· Mary McComas, English teacher at HMS-8

· Dr. Bob Rathbun, assistant superintendent for learning

· Jerry Seibel, drafting at Vo-Tech

Gifts

The Board accepted the following gifts.

· $225.13 to Head Start from the Helen Hamilton Endowment Fund

· $1,000 to the HHS tennis program from Mike O’Neal

The Board’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. March 12, 2001, at the Administration Building.


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Feb. 12, 2001

Board approves capital outlay resolution
The USD 308 Board of Education continued to keep a promise made to voters in 1997, limiting its capital outlay authority for 2001-02 to 2 mills.

When district voters approved $2.7 million worth of bonds for the Salthawk Activities Center on April 1, 1997, the district promised to limit capital outlay spending to 2 mills, offsetting the cost to taxpayers of the new gymnasium for the five-year life of the bonds.

Capital outlay money is used for a wide range of building needs around the district, including basic repairs and upkeep for facilities.

Also during the meeting, Supervisor for Buildings and Grounds Bob Williams reported on summer maintenance activities during 2000. Each summer, an additional 50 temporary employees join the 17 permanent full-time employees in the Maintenance Department in June and July, providing a wide range of maintenance services.

The Maintenance Department is responsible for 123 acres of grounds and more than 1 million square feet of facilities within the district.

The Board also approved the low bid for re-roofing portions of Hutchinson Middle School – Seventh Grade and Hutchinson Middle School – Eighth Grade to Wray and Sons Roofing of Hutchinson for $132,073. The only other bid received was from Hamilton Roofing for $159,215.

The Board also heard a three Effective Schools Reports. The reports were from Wiley and Allen Elementary Schools and Hawk Enterprises at Hutchinson High School.

Wiley third-grade teacher Sandy Woodson talked about the Educate America grant she recently received to create the Box City program. Her students are researching 11 downtown buildings and will re-create the buildings out of boxes to scale.

Kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, first and developmental first-grade teachers from Allen discussed Animated Literacy and Visual Phonics with the Board, leading the Board through a lesson on the letter “T.” Staff has found the two programs provide a marriage of the best of whole language and phonics instruction.

Hawk Enterprises is a HHS student-run venture that markets student-developed products. Products marketed to date include Squawkwa bottled water; Hawk Holler, a candy sales company; and Specialty Advertising Services, which sells advertising in the HHS yearbook and sells senior messages for the yearbook.

The Board also heard from Tammy Dillon with an update on fund-raising activities for the new middle school tennis program. A group of parents and patrons have raised about $6,000 for the program. The program has seven meets lined up between April 9 and May 9. Signup for the program will be Feb. 8 at HMS-8 and March 1 at HMS-7.

In other action, the Board held three separate executive sessions. Those sessions covered personnel and consultation with an attorney, confidential data and negotiations.

Recognitions

Taylor Westrope, daughter of Holly and Michael Boyd and a kindergarten student at Morgan Elementary School, was honored at the Board meeting for having her Martin Luther King Day poster recognized by the governor during a ceremony on Jan. 12, 2001, at the Capitol. The capitol Martin Luther King Committee judged her poster the best from its level.

Gifts to Schools

§ $250 each for Allen, Avenue A and Lincoln Elementary schools and Head Start from Peter and Barbara MacDonald for the Reading is Fundamental Programs at those schools.

§ The book Turning the Tide: How to be an Advocate for the ADD/ADHD Child from author Karen Richards.

§ $500 from Mollie Hedrick for the Anne Frank: A History for Today exhibit, co-sponsored by HHS and the Reno County Historical Society.

§ $100 from McDonald’s of Hutchinson for the Anne Frank: A History for Today exhibit, co-sponsored by HHS and the Reno County Historical Society.

§ $100 from the Hutchinson Credit Union for the Anne Frank: A History for Today exhibit, co-sponsored by HHS and the Reno County Historical Society.

Personnel

Hired

Classified

§ Maria Beltran, Educational Aide at Avenue A

§ Dixie Bortz, assistant department head/main dish at HHS

§ Sandra Griffith, base kitchen cook/server at HHS

§ Susan Guy, teacher assistant at the Hutcherson Center

§ Terryl Hanson, assistant baker at HMS-7

§ Marcia Haden, MR para-professional at Graber

§ Scott Kelly, custodian at Allen

§ Christine Kennedy, bus driver at the Administration Center

§ Judy Kennedy, permanent substitute at HMS-7

§ Douglas Long, custodian at HHS-vocational

§ Stella Marquez, bilingual teacher assistant at the Hutcherson Center

§ Rebecca Morrison, permanent sub at HMS-8

§ Cristie Mulder, teacher assistant for the Head Start program at Haven

§ Leona Teague, cafeteria aide at Graber

§ Marsha Wierman, head cook for fruits and vegetables at HMS-7

Retirements

§ Marilyn Hageman, secretary at Graber

§ Shirley Robinson, third grade teacher at Wiley

Resignations

§ Tina Aikens, assistant baker at HMS-7

§ Shelly Christopherson, teacher assistant at Head Start

§ Wanda Ingland, temporary sub in Food Service

§ Mary John, head baker at HMS-7

§ Holly Smith, para-educator at Graber

§ Jacqueline Thompson, night custodian at Allen

§ Cheryl Tretbar, temporary sub for Food Service

The Board’s next meeting will be a special meeting at 8 a.m. Feb. 19 when members tour district facilities. The next regular meeting of the Board will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Administration Center.


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Jan. 22, 2001

Brokerage firm purchases bonds
Nearly $4.7 million of bonds were sold to the brokerage firm Robert W. Baird & Co. Monday (Jan. 22, 2001) by the Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education. Action came after a formal bid opening earlier in the day.

The bonds were sold at an interest rate of 3.8394 percent. Robert Baird is a brokerage firm owned by Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance.

Other bids came from Salomon Smith Barney; Stern Brothers; George K. Baum; Griffin, Kubik, Stephens & Thompson, Inc.; U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray; A.G. Edwards & Sons; Harris Trust & Savings Bank; and EBONDTRADE LLC.

Proceeds from the bond sale will be used to buy technology equipment. Hutchinson voters approved the $4.695 million bond issue in November by a 58-42 percent margin. The interest rate on the bonds actually is lower than anticipated. When the voters went to the polls, the expected interest rate was 4.65 percent.

In other action, the Board:

· Added tennis as a second spring sport for Hutchinson Middle School. Previously, only track was offered in the spring.

· Awarded the district’s contract for hauling trash to Nisly Brothers, Inc. The one-year contract was for $28,692 or about 3 percent more than last year. It was the first increase in three years.

· Approved individual development plans for staff.

· Held executive sessions on non-elected personnel and negotiations.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Hired

Certified

· Heather Immestote, permanent substitute for the district

· Chris Newton, teacher at Bob Johnson Youth Center

· Carolyn Richerson, permanent substitute for the district

· Staci Ryan, permanent substitute for the district

Classified

· Alicia Gilley, family support worker at the Hutcherson Center

· LeeAnn Grant, para-professional in special education at Wiley

· Patches Meadows, office aide at Graber

Resignation

Classified

· Tyra Marshall, breakfast aide/Graber and Permanent Sub at HMS-8

Gifts

The Board approved the following gifts.

· $1,026 from Charles and Pam Pierce to the Hutchinson Public Schools Endowment Fund

· $58 from the Esther Wambsganss Memorial to Graber Elementary School

· $205 from the Manuel Vieyra Memorial to Graber Elementary School

The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 12. Monday’s meeting was held at 4:30 p.m. to allow Board members to attend the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce annual meeting later in the evening.


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Jan. 8, 2000

Board approves revised calendar
Staff will receive additional technology training under a 2001-02 calendar approved Monday (Jan. 8, 2001) by the USD 308 Board of Education.

Under the revised calendar, teachers get two days of technology in-service training. The Calendar Committee made two of the days full days, and two are half days.

Full days are on Sept. 12 and Feb. 22. Half days for K-8 staff are Oct. 19 and March 8. Half days for HHS staff are Jan. 10 and April 11. Since other in-service, records or parent-teacher conferences are scheduled opposite the half-day technology training, students are out of class entirely on those days.

Classes for 2001-02 begin on Aug. 16 for first through ninth grades, on Aug. 17 for 10th through 12th grades and on Aug. 20 for kindergarten. The final day of classes will be May 23, 2002.

The Board also approved adding girls’ soccer to activities at Hutchinson High School on a 7-0 vote. First-year costs for the program were estimated at $25,228.96. Of those costs, $8,000 were for uniforms with the remaining approximately $15,000 to $16,000 for expenses that will occur each year.

A survey of students by parent Rex Redinger showed 57 girls in eighth through 11th grades would participate in a girls’ soccer program with another 10 who wanted additional information.

According to the motion approved by the Board, the parents’ group will need to raise $4,000 for the program to help offset start-up costs.

The Board also approved a job description for a Director of Fiscal Management and Business Operations. Current Director for Finance and Board Clerk Elaine Bentz has indicated she will retire after the 2001-02 school year.

By hiring someone this summer, that individual will have the opportunity to work alongside Bentz during the next school year, learning the district’s budget software package as well as the district’s accounting system.

In other action, the Board:

· Approved guidelines for special education class sizes and caseloads.

· Approved a request from Piper-Jaffray, giving the company permission to bid on the bonds that will be sold later this month.

· Approved hiring policies and procedures, application forms and an employment processing flow chart for the Personnel Department.

· Approved new secondary courses offerings for 2001-02. New courses for 2001-02 at HHS include Advanced Computer Applications, Food Science 2, English 9C, Introduction to Athletic Training, Lodging Management, Poetry and a PSAT-ACT Prep Class.

· Approved HHS classes for 2001-02. Approved all the middle school classes except for skills for adolescents at Hutchinson Middle School – Seventh Grade Center. The Board wanted more feedback on the course and alternatives

· Set Feb. 19 as the date for an all-day tour of the district’s facilities. Since a majority of a quorum will be present for the meetings, the tours will held as special meetings of the Board and will be open under the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

· Appointed Jeff Allen and Peggy Childs as negotiators for the district in its negotiations with NEA-Hutchinson this spring.

· Held two executive sessions. The first was to discuss non-elected personnel. The second was to discuss employer-employee negotiations. No action was taken after either session.

· Heard an Effective Schools Report from staff at Lincoln Elementary School about curriculum, technology, social skills training and the Lincoln High Fliers Program. Begun in 1998, the program will give then- fourth grade students who met certain requirements full scholarships to Hutchinson Community College and Sterling College. Superintendent Wynona Winn said the High Fliers program would be extended to Avenue A Elementary School in the future.

· Watched a video titled, “Before it’s Too Late” on improving match and science instruction in schools

Recognitions

Pacemaker Award

Given by the National Scholastic Press Association and Channel One for excellence in broadcast Journalism.

Anchors: Matt Riley, Ami Farney, Zach Mendenhall

Reporters: Libby Mallonee, Kelsey Smith, Barb Delk, Tony Helfrich, Zach Mendenhall, Nathan Christner, Justin Kenyon

Producers: Nathan Christner, Justin Kenyon

Directors: Matt Kappenman, Ty Nelson

Line Director: Jason Buck

Graphics: Chris Mendoza

Set and Lights: Lizzy Kopper, Chris Rials, Ross Barker, Charlie Roberts

JEA/NSPA National Convention, April 2000

Students placing in National Competition at the Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association in Anaheim, Calif., April 2000.

Best Sports Story: Superior Rating – Kelsey Smith and Barb Delk

Best Humorous Feature: Superior Rating – Nathan Christner

Music Video: Honorable Mention – Matt Kappenman and Jason Buck

On-Air Commentary: Excellent Rating – Zach Mendenhall

On-Air Reporter: Honorable Mention – Katie Ballard

Video Editing: Honorable Mention – Justin Kenyon

Script Writing: Excellent – Libby Mallonee

Best of Show, News: Sixth Place – Nathan Christner

JEA/NSPA National Convention, November 2000

Students placing in National Competition at the Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association in Kansas City, Mo., November 2000.

Best Feature: Excellent Rating – Kelsey Smith and Katie Ballard

Best Sports Story: Honorable Mention – Jason Buck and Chris Rials

Best News Story: Honorable Mention – Matt Kappenman

On-Air Reporter: Honorable Mention – Julie Berndsen

Best of Show, News: Eighth Place – Kelsey Smith and Katie Ballard

The broadcast journalism teacher is Sally Bridge.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes in the district.

Hired

Certified

· Retha Pearce, Head Start Teacher at the Hutcherson Center

Classified

· Bonnie Avila, teacher assistant for Head Start at Obee Elementary School

· Linda Birney, para at HHS

· Claudette Carter, night custodian at HMS-8

· Becky Dreiling, Title I para at McCandless

· James Frye, parking lot supervisor at HHS

· Carol Gil Fragoso, bilingual family support worker at the Hutchinson Center

· Linda Kollhoff, secretary/activities treasurer at HMS-8

· Vicky Miller, para at the Educational Services Center

· Karen Pitzer, medication aide at McCandless

· Rachel Raya, Title I educational aide at St. Teresa

· Deborah Schmidt, teacher assistant/family support for Head Start at Fairfield West in Sylvia

· Cynthia Wolf, para at Graber

Salary Changes

· Kim Brockleman, to head custodian from substitute custodian

· Ed Royer, to ISS monitor from parking supervisor

Relocations

· Tina Aikens, to HMS-7 from HHS

· Brenda Foulke, to HMS-7 from Graber

· Robin Garcia, to Graber from HMS-8

· Jacqueline Thompson, to Graber from Allen

Resignations

· Shari Anderson, bookkeeper for Nutrition Services

· Sara Call, permanent substitute in Food Service

· Diane Ehling, para at Allen

· Trisha Fletchall, hearing impaired at HHS

· Evelyn Garoutte, assistant main dish cook for Food Service

· Sue Gore, custodian at HMS-7

· Mindy Hart, para at Graber

· Glenda Kerwood, bookkeeper at HHS

· Linda Mann, para/MR at HMS-8

· Lori Moon, teacher assistant in Head Start

· Karen Nelson, office aide at Graber

· Dana Ochs, para at Wiley

· Vicky Richman, para at ESC

· Cami Scott, para at HHS

· Keith Thompson, custodian at HMS-8

· Imogene Tilton, teacher at Bob Johnson

· Bob Woelk, custodian at Vo-Tech

Gifts to Schools

The Board accepted the following gifts.

· $200 worth of library books from Mr. and Mrs. Guy Mack to the Lincoln Elementary School library

· $400 worth of toys to the Hutchinson High School Child Care Center from Jeanette, Bill and Joshua Hermes

· 44 dictionaries from the Noon Optimists for the fourth grade students at Allen Elementary School

· $300 from the James A and Juliet L. Davis Foundation, Inc., for the Reading is Fundamental Program at Head Start

· $300 from the James A and Juliet L. Davis Foundation, Inc., for the Reading is Fundamental Program at Faris Elementary School

· $300 from the James A and Juliet L. Davis Foundation, Inc., for the Reading is Fundamental Program at Avenue A Elementary School

· $300 from the James A and Juliet L. Davis Foundation, Inc., for the Reading is Fundamental Program at McCandless Elementary School

· $300 from the James A and Juliet L. Davis Foundation, Inc., for the Reading is Fundamental Program at Allen Elementary School

· 190 Beanie Babies and Avon Babies, valued at $2,100 from Darla Graham to Avenue A Elementary School to be housed in the library for teachers to check out

· $750 from the Kerr Charitable Foundation with Sen. Dave Kerr as trustee to be used in the area of greatest need as determined by Superintendent Wynona Winn

· $445.79 from Target Stores to Hutchinson High School as part of the company’s Target School Fundraising Program

The Board’s next meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum. The time was moved up 2½ hours to allow Board members to attend the annual meeting of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce.


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Dec. 11, 2000

Board approves bond calendar
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Dec. 11, 2000) approved a timetable that would allow the district to begin implementing its bond issue later this winter.

On Nov. 7, 2000, Hutchinson voters approved a nearly $4.7 million bond issue to provide new technology for USD 308 students and staff.

Under the bond calendar prepared by U.S. Bancorp Piper Jaffray, $4.695 million worth of bonds would be sold. The notice of the bond sale would appear in the Kansas Register and local newspaper on Jan. 11, 2001, with the bonds sold at 2 p.m. Jan. 22, 2001.

By early February, the bond issue sale process would be completed.

The Board also approved a resolution allowing the bonds to be offered for sale, as required by state law.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board heard a proposal that would add girls’ soccer at Hutchinson High School. Parent Rex Redinger did a survey of girls in eighth through 11th grades and found 57 who would participate in a girls’ soccer program with another 10 who wanted additional information.

Currently, high school-age girls who play soccer have to travel to Wichita and play at the club level. Because Wichita schools offer girls’ soccer in the spring, Hutchinson girls don’t have teams on which to play.

Redinger estimated girls’ soccer would cost between $10,000 and $15,000 to add. Phil Stines, HHS activities director, said he believed $15,000 would be on the lower side of actual first-year costs because of the need for uniforms.

Currently, HHS offers 10 boys’ and nine girls’ sports. The Board took the request under advisement for its Jan. 8, 2001, meeting.

In other action, the board:

· Approved the Roosevelt Traditional Elementary School Site Council bylaws.

· Heard the annual testing and evaluation report from Dr. Bob Rathbun, assistant superintendent for learning.

Personnel

Hired

Certified

· Megan Geffert, speech pathologist at the ESC

· Bradley Nord, Latin/English teacher at HHS

Classified

· Tina Aikens, food service at HHS

· Evelyn Garoutte, food service at HMS-7

· Christina Palmer, special education paraprofessional at the Hutcherson Center

· Cassie Rice, Head Start Teacher Assistant at the Hutcherson Center

· Justin Romesburg, custodian at HMS-7

· Trina Royer, paraprofessional at HMS-7

· Barbara Cooper, speech paraprofessional

Resignations

· Kay Carney, speech education aide at the ESC

· Willetta Fellers, medication aide at McCandless

· Emily Kuntz, Head Start bus aide at the Hutcherson Center



Gifts to Schools

· A donation of $1,000 from the Wiley PTA to Wiley Elementary School to open Homework Headquarters at the school.

· A gift of stocking hats for kindergarten students from First Call for Help to Allen Elementary School.

· 46 dictionaries from the Noon Optimists to fourth grade students at Graber Elementary School.

The Board met at 5 p.m. Monday so members could attend two district music performances.

The next meeting for the Board will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 8, 2001.


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Nov. 27, 2000

Board approves moving forward with charter
The USD 308 Board of Education Monday (Nov. 27, 2000) voted to submit a new charter to the Kansas State Board of Education that would include current and future excellence academies.

Currently, USD 308 is the host district for the Cosmosphere Academy, one of the original charter schools granted. The Cosmosphere Academy is a cooperative venture of ESSDACK schools in Reno County. Juniors and seniors from participating schools attend the academy for half a day and spend the other half in their home districts.

Since the Cosmosphere Academy opened, USD 308 has become host for a second excellence academy, the Reno Entrepreneurial Development Institute. Like the Cosmosphere Academy, it provides a half day of learning in a specialized setting with the other half provided in the student’s home district.

Last year, the district applied to the Kansas State Board of Education to expand the existing Cosmosphere charter to include REDI, but the proposal was turned down.

Mike Cook, director of ESSDACK, outlined the new proposal at the Board’s Nov. 13 meeting. Monday, he brought back the new proposal that would create an umbrella charter, which could include any current and future excellence academies. Among the concepts floated by county superintendents for new excellence academies are performing arts, health science, technology and agribusiness.

USD 308 would be the host district for the umbrella charter.

The Board also discussed the future of the Winans Elementary School building. Closed after the 1999-2000 school year, the school is being used on a limited basis by the district and a few community groups.

Among the potential uses for Winans might be the expansion of early education programs in the district or all-day kindergarten. Either program would depend on the district receiving additional funding.

No action was taken on Winans.

The Board approved the 2001-02 school calendar. Under the calendar approved, the first day of school for first through ninth grades will be Aug. 16, 2001. Sophomores through seniors will start on Aug. 17, 2001. Kindergartners will start on Aug. 20, 2001.

Thanksgiving Recess will be Nov. 21 to 23, 2001. Winter Recess will be Dec. 24, 2001, through Jan. 2, 2002. Students, however, will get an extra day for Winter Recess with in-service or records scheduled for staff on Dec. 21, 2001.

Spring break will be March 25 to 29, 2002. The final day of school for 2001-02 will be May 23, 2002.

In other action, the Board:

· Discussed items that are on the agenda for the Kansas Association of School Board’s delegate assembly.

· Heard an update of the district’s crisis management plan with Hutchinson Police Department Lt. Randy Henderson.

· Moved the time of the Dec. 11, 2000, Board meeting to 5 p.m. from 7 p.m. to allow members to attend music programs in the district that night.

· Spent 15 minutes in executive session discussing non-elected personnel.



Recognitions

The Board recognized the 2000 Hutchinson High School football team, which advanced to the semi-final round of the Class 6A playoffs. Those individuals included:

Players: Casey Bowman, Cody Smith, Simon Lewis, Josh Forbes, Blake Dreiling, Kyle Norwood, Joshua Abernathy, Brock Wells, Christopher Link, Charlie Craig, Todd Foster, Philnile Johnson, Nick Keast, Anthony Wiese, DeAngelo Green, Michael Glenn, Cody Stapleton, Dustin Teague, Garret Williams, Nicholas Omundson, Zach Lawson, Eric Hoefer, Jon Coughlin, Timothy VanWey, Kurt Neighbors, Lance Pina, Zach Gagnebin, Zach Hemmerling, Gus Eaton, Steven Humphries, Garrett Hooker, Douglas Brandon, Juice Braxton, Jonathon Graves, Adam Strausberg, Sam Ehrlich, Sean Harper, Josh McQueen, Lynn Hinsdale, Dyllan Hayes, Justin Carter, Sean Bueford, Brandon Hubbard, Kyle Mendenhall, Tyler Perry, Robert Chace, Philip Howe, Shawn Stafford, Marcus Johnson, Mario Enriquez, Andrew Marsh, Daric Suppes, Tommy Kite, Clayton Borders, Shawn Jones.

Head Coach: Randy Dreiling

Assistant Coaches: Bret Eckert, Scott Yantes, Dave Patterson, Chad Criqui, Bo Frondorf, Jamie Jefferies, Scott Hayes, Chris Endress, Dave T. Patterson.

Trainers: Rossi Krie and Dan Smiley, ATC

Managers: Shawn Stunkel and Ben Harper

Film Crew: John Brown and Harold Henderson

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Hired

Classified

· Jacqueline Clothier, paraprofessional at McCandless Elementary School

· Jennifer Philbrick, paraprofessional at Allen Elementary School

Resignations

Classified

· Deborah Abbott, YouthFriends secretary in the Administration Center

· Julia Bettis, FSW/teacher assistant at Obee

· Sasha Chaffin, bilingual family support at Hutcherson Center

· Gina Davis, assistant main dish cook at HMS-7

Relocation

Classified

· Donna Dula, night custodian to McCandless Elementary School from HMS-7

Gifts

The Board accepted the following gifts.

· Books valued at $2,827.41 from the South Central Kansas Library System to McCandless Elementary School.

· Dictionaries from the Noon Optimist Club for fourth graders at McCandless Elementary School.

· $100 from the American Legion Lysle Rishel Post No. 68 to Head Start to purchase winter clothing for Head Start children in need.

· A 1989 Merkur, valued at $4,500, from Diane and Kent Longenecker for the auto and collision repair technology programs at Hutchinson High School AVTS.

The next Board meeting will be at 5 p.m. Dec. 11, 2000, at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum.


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Nov. 13, 2000

Charter school umbrella discussed
The concept of creating an umbrella for Hutchinson Public Schools’ excellence academies was unveiled Monday (Nov. 13, 2000) during the USD 308 Board of Education meeting.

USD 308 currently is host for the Cosmosphere Academy charter. The Cosmosphere Academy is a cooperative venture of ESSDACK schools in Reno County. Juniors and seniors from participating schools attend the academy for half a day and spend the other half in their home districts.

Since the Cosmosphere Academy opened, USD 308 has become host for a second excellence academy, the Reno Entrepreneurial Development Institute. Like the Cosmosphere Academy, it provides a half day of learning in a specialized setting with the other half provided in the student’s home district.

Last year, the district applied to the Kansas State Board of Education to expand the Cosmosphere charter to include REDI, but the proposal was turned down.

Mike Cook, director of ESSDACK, said he would bring back to the Board an umbrella charter that could include any current and future excellence academies. Among the concepts floated by county superintendents for new excellence academies are performing arts, health science, technology and agribusiness. No action was taken on the proposal.

In action items:

· The Board renewed the district’s audit contract with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle for 2000-01 for up to $25,000. The auditor also presented its report on the 1999-2000 audit.

· The Board decided to keep the 2000-01 calendar unchanged from that published earlier this year. Parent/teacher conferences for K-8 remain on March 22 and 23.

· Approved a contract with the Southwest Kansas Area Cooperative District to provide orientation and mobility services for a district student, costing USD 308 $1,000.

· Approved a letter of understanding with the Reno County Health Department to provide Hepatitis B vaccine to district employees.

· Approved the Telecommunications Acceptable Use Policy for the district.

· Voted against spending $1,000 to study the sight-angles for upper-level seating in the Salthawk Activities Center.

The Board also heard a report on Project LEAN, which is the acronym for Leadership to Encourage Activity and Nutrition. The coalition is composed of school and community members who plan health choice for students and families. The coalition has been active at Wiley Elementary School.

And students from Graber and Morgan Elementary schools showed Board members the future through the GenY program. The year-long program trains students who work with teachers to improve technology skills in the classroom.

Hutchinson USD 308 voters approved a $4.7 million bond issue on Nov. 7 by a 58-42 percent margin that will provide improved technology and training in classrooms across the district.

The Board also held two executive sessions, totaling 25 minutes, to discuss non-elected personnel.



Personnel

The Board accepted the Personnel Report.

Hired

Classified

· Sara Call, permanent sub in food service at HMS-7

· Brenda Foulke, food service aide at Lincoln and HHS

· Sharyl Hamilton, paraprofessional at Avenue A

· Wanda Killian, cook/server at HMS-7

· Glenna Louk, special ed paraprofessional at Avenue A

· Albertha Mayberry, cook/server at HMS-7

· Regina Myrick, Head Start secretary at the Hutcherson Center

· Vicky Richman, VI paraprofessional for the district

· Fulicia Sligar, permanent sub in food service at Lincoln

Relocations

· David Castor, substitute, to the Warehouse from Roosevelt

Resignations

· Jeanette Cash, payroll clerk at the Administration Center

· Connie Garcia, interpreter at HHS

· Brandi Leis, teacher assistant for Head Start at the Hutcherson Center

· Terry Klinkerman, server/cook/cashier

· Jeanette Mora, aide/server at HMS-7

· Lori Triffit-Payer, aide at Roosevelt

Gifts

The following gifts were accepted by the Board.

· A donation of $1,000 from the McCandless PTO for Reading Is Fundamental Program at McCandless Elementary School.

· A vehicle valued at $1,650 from Mr. Theodore Essex of Hutchinson for use in student training in both auto technology and collision technology programs.

· A donation of $1,000 from Boys and Girls Club of Hutchinson to assist with expenses incurred by the school district for transporting elementary students to Boys and Girls Club.

Recognitions

The Board recognized the following groups.

USD 308 Bond Steering Committee

The Board thanked members of the Steering Committee who volunteered so much of their time to pass the Technology Bond Issue.

Class 6A State Cross Country

Hutchinson High School freshman Morgan Bonds won all eight of her cross-country races this season and placed second in the Class 6A State Cross Country meet. Her coach is Lisa Bonds.

Debate and Forensics National Competition Qualifiers

At the National Catholic Forensics League Grand National Tournament in Rochester, N.Y.:

Kyle Kimpler and Nathan Walker qualified for policy debate and placed 33rd out of 200 teams.

Rosa Vigil qualified for student congress.

Adam Hupach Qualified for extemporaneous speaking.

At the National Forensics League in Portland, Ore.

Michael Moore qualified and placed eighth speaker in debate out of 400 debaters.

Michael Moore and Eddie Dick placed in the top 60 in policy debate out of more than 200 teams.

Nathan Walker placed 15th in extemporaneous speaking out of 190 students.

Ashley Clayton was a semifinalist in student congress.



The next Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 in the Administration Center.


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Oct. 24, 2000

Approves open lunch period for seniors

Board approves concept of 8-team districts
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday approved the concept of eight-team football districts.

The recommendation goes to the Kansas State High School Activities Association executive board, which will consider the districts next spring. If approved by KSHSAA, the earliest the eight-team districts would be instituted is the 2002 season.

The eight-team concept will allow two schools from each district to advance to state playoffs. Currently, schools compete in four-team districts of which only one team advances. As a result, two of the state’s top teams could be in the same district currently and not advance to the playoffs.

If approved by KSHSAA, the eight-team districts would effectively do away with most league football schedules, completing what began when the state went to the four-team districts in the early 1980s.

Schools, however, would continue to compete in their leagues for all other sports. The eight-team districts would give schools two open dates each year to schedule non-district opponents, something few schools have currently.

The Board also approved open lunch periods for seniors after hearing a presentation from Hutchinson High School Principal Ronn Roehm and Student Council President Zach Mendenhall.

Prior to the 1999-2000 school year, Roehm approached the Board about opening up the lunch period at HHS for sophomores through seniors. The Board balked at opening the lunch period for all three classes.

The problem students have is getting through the lunch line on a timely basis and interruption of classes with four lunch periods. Reducing the lunchroom by 100 or 150 students by allowing the seniors to leave would make a big difference, Roehm said.

The more limited open lunch period proposal Roehm and Mendenhall brought to the Board is supported by students, parents and staff. Mendenhall said seniors quickly would learn to manage time carefully because a tardy caused by returning late from lunch would be unexcused.

The Board approved the proposal on a 6-1 vote with Board Member Jeff Allen voting against it.

The Board approved its goals for 2000-01. The broad goal areas are:

Ø Increase the academic performance of all students.

Ø Implement district technology plan.

Ø Develop a long-range plan to deal with declining enrollment.

Ø Recruit, reward, retain qualified employees.

Administrators will bring back specific strategies for implementing the goals at a future meeting.

Board members also approved a change in the 2000-01 calendar. The Board moved the K-8 half day of school and half day of records to March 9 from March 16 and then the K-8 parent-teacher conferences to March 15 and 16 from March 22 and 23.

In other action, the Board:

· Chose Allen as the district’s delegate to the Kansas Association of School Boards annual meeting in December.

· Approved the school improvement plan for Allen Elementary School.

· Tabled the district telecommunications acceptable use policy, pending further review.

· Were briefed on a possible application to place excellence academies under an umbrella charter. USD 308 is the host district for the Cosmosphere Academy’s charter with the Reno Entrepreneurial Development Institute considered a candidate for charter status. County superintendents also have discussed a fine arts academy.

· Met in executive session for 40 minutes to discuss personnel.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes.

Hired

Classified

· Kathryn Miller, substitute in Food Service

· Melody Probst, Title I aide at Allen Elementary School

Resignations

Classified

· Petra Naugle, Food Service at HMS-7

· DeeAnn Romero, Head Start secretary at the Hutcherson Center



Recognitions

The Board received a plaque from Graber Elementary School for its support of the Outdoor Classroom project. Graber staff, students, parents and friends dedicated the classroom on Sunday, Oct. 22.

The Board also recognized Superintendent Wynona Winn who was honored by her former district, Turner USD 202, by placing her name on the Turner Walk of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 2.

Gifts

The Board approved the following gifts to schools.

· $2,827.24 from the McCandless PTO to McCandless to purchase electric pencil sharpeners for every room at McCandless Elementary School.


The Board’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Administration Center.


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Oct. 9, 2000

Board mulls football change
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Oct. 9, 2000) heard a proposal that could significantly change Hutchinson High School’s football schedule.

The proposal would lend the district’s support to a statewide proposal to create eight-team football playoff districts for 6A football and other classes of 11-man football. A school would play seven games in its district and would have only two non-district games, said Phil Stines, USD 308 activities director.

The Board’s pending vote is not binding on either the district or the state. The proposal has to be approved by a majority of members of the Kansas State High School Activities Association.

In contrast, the current system with four-team districts allows a school to play six non-district games followed by three district games.

In Hutchinson’s case, the Salthawks currently play a 4A team, four 5A teams and a 6A team in the Ark Valley League before hitting three 6A teams in district play. El Dorado, the 4A team, is less than half HHS’ size.

Two schools out of each eight-team district would advance to state playoff competition under the proposal.

The proposal would not affect other sports or activities within the Ark Valley League. The KSHSAA will not act on the proposal, itself, until early next year. The soonest the plan could take effect would be the 2002 football season.

The Board will make its recommendation to the KSHSAA at its Oct. 23 meeting.

The Board also heard from Dr. Robert Rathbun, assistant superintendent for learning, who reported assessing student learning within USD 308. While USD 308 does not use an exit-level examination at any grade level to determine promotion or retention of students, performance is gauged by different methods throughout a student’s career in the district.

Among the tools used to gauge student performance are grade cards, work portfolios and a variety of state and national standardized tests.

The Board also heard a report from Liz Peirce, principal of McCandless Elementary School, and Todd Frederickson, assistant principal, about the school’s adoption of the Girls and Boys Town Model for discipline. Both principals spent considerable time during the 1999-2000 school year on discipline referrals.

Last spring, three teachers attended a seminar on the model and were impressed with its potential. In August, 45 district staff members were trained on the Girls and Boys Town Model. There are 16 basic social skills the model covers. For each of the first eight weeks of school, every staff member has focused on the same two skills.

In other action, the Board approved the Assurance Regarding Implementation of the Requirements for the FY 2001 Local Education Agency Application. Federal law requires the assurance, which provides that USD 308 provides free public education to individuals with disabilities and shows the safeguards being taken on those individuals’ behalf.

Recognitions

The Board formally recognized Joanna Ramos, Hutchinson High School senior, as a Scholar Finalist in the National Hispanic Recognition Program. She is among 3,000 Hispanic students who have been recognized as Scholar Finalist in the program.

Personnel

The Board also approved the following personnel changes.

Hired

Classified

· Patricia Feldman, food service aide at Hutchinson High School

· Louetta Finn, payroll clerk at the Administration Center

· Vanessa Gonzales, head main dish cook at HMS-7

· Janette Mora, BK aide/server at HMS-7

· Gidget Watson, teacher assistant for Head Start at Obee

Resignations

· None

Gifts

The Board accepted two gifts.

· A donation of $645 from First Presbyterian Church to the Hutchinson High School Child Care Center.

· A grant of $550 from Reading is Fundamental and Burlington Northern Santa Fe to McCandless Elementary School to be used to purchase books for RIF distribution at the school.

Next Meeting

The Board’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at the Administration Center, 1520 North Plum.


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Sept. 25, 2000

Board accepts Personnel study
The USD 308 Personnel Department will undergo a restructuring based on a consultant’s report.

Monday (Sept. 25, 2000) the Board accepted the report from Kansas Association of School Boards’ consultants Max Heim and Bill Majors. Heim was USD 308 superintendent 1974 to 1977 while Majors assisted the district in its superintendent search that ultimately resulted in Superintendent Wynona Winn’s hiring.

The result will be Personnel and Payroll departments that work more closely together. As part of that effort, plans have been drawn up to locate the two departments in the same area of the Administration Center.

Additionally, the two departments will make better use of the district’s software package that, in turn, should result in more timely and better budget tracking of personnel costs.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the Board formally accepted the gift of original art from the Vignettes and Mid-American Flea Market. The original art is available for display in district schools.

The Vignettes donated three pieces – “Spring Trio” and “Angel” acrylics by Vickie Hoskins and “The Nebraska Tree” by Dennis James McKay. Mid-American Flee Market donated an oil painting – “Springtime in the Flinthills” by Pat Potucek. Hoskins and McKay were on hand to make comments about their pieces of artwork.

On hand to present the artwork were Cameron Masterson from Mid-American Flea Market and Hoskins, representing Vignettes.

The Board ended its meeting with a 15-minute session on non-elected personnel. No action was taken after the session.

Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes for the district.

Hired

Classified

· Sherry Coker, paraprofessional at Hutchinson High School

· Stacey Franklin, part-time custodian at Avenue A

· Robin Garcia, food service at HMS-8

· Kit Lammert, paraprofessional in special education at Holy Cross

· Julie Lawrence, piano accompanist at Hutchinson High School

· Kristen McConnell, teacher assistant at HHS Child Care Center

· Kathy Russell, paraprofessional at Holy Cross

· Elissa Unruh, paraprofessional at Faris

· Margo Velazquez, ESL at Avenue A

· Earl Vines, paraprofessional at Hutchinson High School

· Trina Williams, cashier at Hutchinson High School

· Lawrence Zimmeran, delivery driver at the warehouse

Resigned

Classified

· Gena Nelson, special ed paraprofessional at Avenue A

· Terry Klinkerman, food service at Graber and Hutchinson High School

· Brandi Leis, Head Start teacher assistant at the Hutcherson Center

The Board’s next meeting will be a retreat at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in Dillon Nature Center. The next regular Board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 in the Administration Center.


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Sept. 11, 2000

Board approves capital improvement plan
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Sept. 11, 2000) approved an updated $869,000 capital outlay plan.

Capital spending ranges from parking lots to locks on doors to roofs.

Under state law, USD 308 could levy and spend far more on capital outlay than it currently does. The Board of Education, however, promised voters in the mid 1990s it would limit the use of the capital outlay levy until the Salthawk Activities Center is paid off. The activities center bonds will be paid off in one more year.

The Board also approved the sale of a house constructed by the Hutchinson High School building trades classes on Barberry Street in northwest Hutchinson.

Each year, the classes construct a house or other structure. Profits from one year’s house are used to underwrite construction of the following year’s building.

The house was sold for $168,000.

The Board also took its first look at a report from Kansas Association of School Boards consultants on the district’s Personnel Department. Superintendent Wynona Winn said the district already was pursuing several of the recommendations made by the consultants.

Some of the recommendations staff already were implementing included a wage study by the Classified Advisory Council, personnel staff visiting other comparable sized districts, updates for supervisors on the Fair Labor Standards Act, improving the use of computer software and improving the district’s application process.

At the Sept. 25 meeting, Winn said administrators would come back with a plan to implement the consultants’ recommendations.

Several routine contracts were approved by the Board.

· An interagency agreement with the Reno County Educational Early Education Center to provide services for students from ages 3 to 5.

· The 2000-01 contract for two days of occupational services each week from the Reno County Educational Cooperative.

· An agreement between RCEC and USD 308 for the operation of Grandview Alternate School. The newer portion of Grandview is used to provide services to behavior disordered students.

The Board also approved a change in the district’s cafeteria benefits plan for staff. The plan year has been moved from starting on Oct. 1 to starting on Sept. 1 each year.

The Board also heard reports on YouthFriends, from Hutchinson High School and on district activities.

HHS Principal Ronn Roehm reported on activities at HHS during his report. At each meeting, one of the schools or programs of USD 308 will be examined during the “Effective Schools Report.”

Roehm discussed HHS’ School Improvement Plan. The high school has four target areas – reading, technical writing, problem solving and career focus and preparation. With each target area, there are three or four intervention strategies and an equal number of assessments.

YouthFriends is being implemented countywide this fall. So far, parents of 115 students in USD 308 and USD 313 have signed their children up for the mentoring program.

Winn also updated the Board on the Hutchinson Middle School. She had been in the buildings, and students have expressed positive feelings about the change in schools. She invited Board members to tour the two buildings that compose Hutchinson Middle School.

She also told the Board the Steering Committee for the technology bond issue met for the first time today. Hutchinson residents Greg Binns, David Hindman and Fred Bichet were named chairs of the group. Voters in November will be asked to approve a $4.695 million bond issue to improve technology in the district.

The Board concluded its meeting with executive sessions totaling 20 minutes on non-elected personnel. No action was taken after the session.

Recognition

Board President Darla Neal recognized Hutchinson High School’s Future Problem Solving Team. The team placed second at the international contest in June. Members of the HHS team are Jenna Huston, Brad Binns, Charles Johnston and Amanda Moore. Nancy Birgen coaches the future problem solving team.



Personnel

The Board approved the following personnel changes in the district.

Hired

Certified

· Deborah Mullins, flex position at Lincoln Elementary School

Classified

· Rita Cumming, paraprofessional

· Gary Getting, playground supervisor

· Rebecca L. Hazelton, LD paraprofessional

· Petra Naugle, food service

· Rutha Navarro, satellite server at Wiley Elementary School

· Katherine E. Palmer, satellite server at Morgan Elementary School

· Lori Payer, food service aide at Roosevelt Traditional Elementary School

· Christie Powell, educational aide – Title I at Faris Elementary School

· Holly R. Smith, paraprofessional at Graber Elementary School

· Belinda Vierthaler, lunch aide for Head Start at Union Valley

· Margaret Woolsey, hearing impaired interpreter at Hutchinson High School

Resignations

Classified

· Pamela Keen, lunchroom supervisor at Faris Elementary School

· Andrea Carlton, Title I paraprofessional

· Jacquelyn Gilbert, cook/server at Hutchinson Middle School – Eighth Grade

· Lonna Hall, breakfast/lunch server at McCandless Elementary School

· Fred Hofflinger, summer work at the Warehouse

· Lisa Lundemo, cook/server at Hutchinson Middle School – Seventh Grade

· James Pope, accompanist at Hutchinson High School

· Maria Montes, special needs vocational coordinator at Hutchinson High School

· Karen Roberts, breakfast/lunch server at Wiley Elementary School

· Jana Goetz, head main dish cook at Hutchinson Middle School – Eighth Grade

· Misty Simpson, daycare

· Heidi Story, lunch aide for Head Start at Obee

· Patty Sutton, department head at Hutchinson Middle School – Eighth Grade

· Nancy Tucker, food service at Hutchinson Middle School – Seventh Grade

The Board was notified of the death of long-time district cook Marilyn Curless, who most recently was a baker at Lincoln Elementary School.

The Board’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Administration Center.


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Aug. 28, 2000

Board OK’s program honoring WWII vets
The Hutchinson Public Schools Board of Education Monday (Aug. 28, 2000) approved a program to provide a special honor for some World War II veterans.

The outbreak of the war and the continued need for servicemen and women kept many from completing their high school educations. Others completed their educations but had to leave before receiving their diplomas.

The Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs has contacted school districts in the Sunflower State and asked that qualifying World War II veterans who did not graduate from high school be awarded honorary high school diplomas. To qualify for the proposed honorary diploma, the men and women would have served between Sept. 16, 1940, and