HHS to drop debate, forensics classes
STAR-JOURNAL STAFF
Because of low student interest, four classes — debate, forensics, drama, and creative writing — will be eliminated from the Hillsboro High School schedule next year, the USD 410 Board of Education decided Monday night.
All four classes had low enrollments for the next school year. Debate had six students, forensics had eight, drama had six, and creative writing had two.
Debate, forensics, and drama will still be open to student participation, although now they will be extracurricular activities, said Superintendent Gordon Mohn. But if interest continues to drop in debate, that program may be completely eliminated.
"We haven't had much interest in debate," Mohn said.
All of the classes were taught by Terry Bebermeyer, and the loss of the courses frees up time for him to teach more sections of Spanish — a course he already teaches in the high school.
In his new free hours, he will now teach Spanish in the middle school, eliminating the need for HMS's part-time Spanish instructor, Julie Harber. The school board voted not to renew Harber's contract.
Also at Monday's meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Cecilia Skiles, who currently teaches third grade at the elementary school. Skiles' husband has been transferred to a new job in Kansas City.
With Skiles' resignation, the district no longer has to release an elementary teacher in the wake of declining enrollment. Instead, either second or third grade will have two sections next year instead of three, Mohn said.
Another district employee leaving her post is central office secretary Joyce Medley. Medley has decided to retire in August after working for USD 410 since 1969.
]In other school district news:
— The district may increase school lunch prices if it wants to break even, Mohn said.
So far this year, the the food service program has spent $208,398.30 for food, worker salaries, and other expenses. The income the district has made is just $186,936.73 — a difference of more than $20,000.
If more students don't participate in the meal program at the middle school and high school level, the district may be forced to raise ticket prices almost 20 percent.
Under the new system, a lunch ticket for grades one through three would increase from $1.75 to $2.09, a ticket for grades four and five would increase from $1.85 to $2.21, and lunch from grades six through twelve would go up from $2.10 to $2.51.
— The district will build new track storage at the southwest corner of Reimer Field and next to the alley behind the high school.
The plan includes two new storage structures. The first will be a joint venture by USD 410 and Tabor College at Tabor's track. The building will have 2,000 square feet of storage and cost $10,000 — with Tabor and USD 410 providing the labor.
Storing track equipment at the track will be much more convenient for meets, although the downside is that district money will be placed on Tabor property, Mohn said.
"Realistically, we're in the track deal with them for a long time," he said. "It's been a good partnership."
The second storage building will be built behind HHS, and it will face the alley between Adams and Madison Street. It will be about the size of a two-car garage.
Funding for the projects will come from insurance money from the recent fire at 202 Madison and the sale of the three buildings the district owns along A Street. Capital outlay funds will also be used.
— The district continues to feel the budget crunch from Topeka.
According to district treasurer Jerry Hinerman, Hillsboro did not receive half of its monthly state aid payment. The amount is $116,464.
The state has promised to send that amount to the district by the first of May.
"We do have sufficient funds to carry us through at least to the next payroll," Hinerman said.
