Staff writer
Goessel school board approved a revised budget Monday that will include about $75,000 in additional school funding.
“Our enrollment for the year was much higher than we expected so we had to write up another publication,” Superintendent John Fast said Tuesday. “This is a good thing for the district.”
Board members also heard a construction report from Josh Walker of Loyd Builders.
“They are making good progress with no rain,” Fast said. “Just about all the foundation is on the west annex is complete. They are currently burying the plumbing and electrical.”
Fast said there is substantial amount of plumbing that will need to be buried before a cement slab can be poured.
“A science lab, agricultural studies, and family and consumer sciences room will go in the new addition,” he said. “But they are hopeful the pad will be poured by the end of this month and then they can start on the walls.”
In other business:
- Board members also heard the annual spring barbecue would be followed by the spring concert May 8. Fast said barbeque pork would likely be on the menu.
- The board approved the district’s continued participation in the Parents as Teachers program.
- Board members approved $2,500 for the Families and Communities Together program.
- After hearing an insurance report from D.J. Sims of EMC Insurance, the board voted to renew a $61,370 contract for USD 411. “The rates dropped $4,500,” Fast said.
- Board members approved an updated three-year plan to further train teachers and provide middle school students with the same 1-to-1 computer to student program high school students are part of, Fast said. Under the new plan, each student will be issued his or her own laptop for school.
- The resignations of business teacher Tyler Sheppard, family and consumer science teacher Gina Bergin, and high school math teacher Alyssa Kroeker were accepted in a 7-0 vote. Fast said interviews have been conducted to fill those positions but there has been no decision on any candidate.
- Board members approved an elementary school field trip to the Museum of World Treasures in Wichita after staff, parents and students collected enough box tops to fund the trip. “The money we redeemed from the box tops will pay for 165 people to go, including staff and parent sponsors, as well as the entire elementary,” Fast said. “They collected literally thousands of box tops. It works well to save money.”
- The board approved the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America trip to San Antonio, Texas for a national convention. “We had quite a number of students who received gold and qualified for nationals,” Fast said.
- Board members also went into a brief executive session to discuss personnel. No action was taken.
The next board meeting is scheduled for May 12. However, board members will meet in their annual retreat on April 24, Fast said. “It is usually in the fall but this year we had to make it earlier because of scheduling conflicts,” he said. “No action will be taken during it. It’s just going to be a relaxed chat time to talk about the goals for the district.”