By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Goessel USD 411 Board of Education will consider a proposal to keep a short school year for 2010-11.

To cope with state funding cuts, USD 411 shortened the 2009-10 school year by 10 days, lengthening time in class each day. The shorter year saves money on bus driver and cook wages, as well as air conditioning expenses in August.

The board is likely to take action on the proposal at its March 8 meeting, Superintendent John Fast said Tuesday. The proposal the board is considering would have classes begin Aug. 26. The fall semester would end Dec. 21. Students would return to school Jan. 4 through May 17, with a weeklong spring break in March.

Students would be in classes for 168 days.

In other business:

• Four FFA members will attend a horse judging competition March 29 in Oklahoma. FFA will provide funds, but the board must approve all out-of-state trips.
• The board met in closed session for 15 minutes to discuss Marion County Special Education Cooperative personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.
• Band director Mike Connell will retire at the end of the school year. He has taught at Goessel three years.
• The board met in closed session for 10 minutes for superintendent evaluation. No action was taken on return to open session.
• The board met in closed session for 10 minutes to discuss teacher contracts. No action was taken on return to open session.