Staff writer
Staff and student presentations topped the Monday meeting agenda of USD 411 Board of Education in Goessel. Leading the list was Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Adviser Gina Bergin and four students, three of whom qualified for the national FCCLA competition to be held in July in Florida.
High school students Kara Schmucker, Alex Hiebert, and Nicki Bartel earned gold medals at the state level last month with their projects, and they presented the board with a proposal for their attendance at the national competition in Orlando. Tia Goertzen joined them for the proposal presentation as she plans to travel to Florida as a state FCCLA officer and STAR project judge.
“The kids did an awesome job, and I am so proud of them,” Bergin said. “They plan to do a lot of fundraisers to cover their portion of expenses at nationals, but we request the board’s permission to get us there.”
The board approved Superintendent John Fast’s recommendation to authorize the trip and cover the costs of the supervising teacher, plus transportation for the group.
School cooks Barb Banman and Sandra Duerksen presented the board with information regarding changes in the nutrition program as mandated by new state and federal guidelines.
“It looks like we now need to monitor how much is served as seconds and charge students accordingly,” Fast said.
The board also discussed breakfast service at the elementary school, noting that participating numbers continue to rise and that perhaps the program should be offered at the junior high and high school next school year.
The board also discussed information presented by Board President Dan Miller about the newly formed Goessel Community Builders Association.
“We talked about housing in Goessel, building plans, a potential farmers market, and other ideas that benefit our community as well as our school,” Miller said.
In other business:
- Board members viewed the new football jerseys ordered by Athletic Director Tyler Schroeder. Schroeder and Principal Scott Boden also presented a request for additional help with the track teams, as there were now 70 students involved in the sport. An additional helper position was approved and Schroeder instructed to find someone from his short list.
- Marion County Special Education Cooperative Director Dr. David Sheppard presented the board with information about how the group is serving schools and students in the county and from Goessel.
- Board members approved the use of a school bus to transport junior high students to Camp Wa Shun Ga over the Memorial Day holiday. Ben Schmidt, USD 411 head custodian, is the leader for the event and requested for transportation.
- Boden presented April 14 GHS promenade information and instructions. A Hollywood theme with red carpet and roped off runways will allow participants to walk up the sidewalk in front of the schools, entering at the junior high doors this year, providing more space for community viewers. The promenade takes place from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, with decorations viewable to the public from 6:30 to 7:20 p.m. in the junior high gym.
- Fast reported that the annual Elementary School Box Top Field Trip will take place April 27, when staff and students will get to travel to the Crown Uptown Theater in Wichita for a showing of “Jungle Book.”