Staff writer
Goessel USD 411 Board of Education members approved Superintendent John Fast’s recommendation to hire Joni Smith, rural Goessel, as the new school board clerk, effective March 5.
Smith previously worked for Koch Industries as an accountant. She and her husband, Kirby Smith, have three young boys. Smith will replace longtime board clerk Esther P. Schmidt, who will retire this fall.
The board met in executive session for discussion of personnel contracts. Upon reconvening, they approved extended contracts for Superintendent Fast and Goessel High School Principal Scott Bodin.
The board accepted the resignation of Tyler Schroeder as head high school football coach. Schroeder will continue his positions as business education teacher and district athletic director.
“We understand that we just spread him too thin his first year here,” board member Maynard Knepp said. “One person can’t do everything, and we affirm his desire to concentrate his efforts and do a few things better.”
Board members entertained conversation with Marion County Commissioner Randy Dallke. Fast invited the commissioner to the board meeting to facilitate communication between the two boards.
“We appreciate him taking the time to visit with us,” Fast said. “We look forward to getting two layers of chip-seal on 90th road west of Goessel, and black top from K-15 to Indigo as soon as this summer.”
In other business
- Board members noted times and date of the Goessel Elementary School music program. At 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, elementary students will present musical numbers from “My Town, My World,” to the public.
- Bodin updated the board on the school’s receipt of a regional science grant for $3,000. The grant application continues on to national competition where it may earn $5,000 if named a finalist.
- The board heard from Bodin about recent success of Goessel students on the scholars’ bowl team who earned fourth at state, quiz bowl teams, and state Kansas Music Educators Association musical selections.
- The board voted to approve funding for Parents As Teachers in the amount of $3,400, after a presentation by PAT Coordinator Lori Soo Hoo.