School board accepts two resignations
Hears concerns from parent regarding increased class size
Staff reporter
Durham-Hillsboro-Lehigh USD 410 board of education accepted two resignations Monday during a regular meeting.
Dustin McEwen, Hillsboro High School math teacher, and football and baseball coach resigned to accept a position at Cheney.
His wife Sunshine McEwen, fourth-grade teacher, was one of three teachers whose contract was not renewed by the board per staff reduction due to declining enrollment.
Anna Marie Wiebe accepted the board's retirement package. Wiebe had taught for 24 years.
In a previous meeting April 26, the board did not renew the teaching contracts for Michelle Goldsby and Michelle Faul. Notices were presented to those teachers April 27.
Kansas law requires a 15-day period between the delivery of the intent to non-renew notice and any action to non-renew the contract. The 15-day period ended Tuesday but the board could not take any action since it was only the 14th day.
The board heard comments from a parent who was concerned about reducing the number of classrooms and enlarging the sizes of the classes.
Kaylene Mueller addressed the board and presented them with a copy of a letter with 50 signatures of parents concerned about the sizes of grades four, five, and six.
"Cutting the number of classes from three to two for the fifth grade class really concerns me," Mueller said. She stated the fifth grade class has special needs students and was afraid the effect will "trickle up."
"It scares me to put my sixth-grader in that class," Mueller said. "Teachers are excellent. We've got spoiled here in Hillsboro."
Mueller further stated people move and stay in Hillsboro because of the quality education.
"Are we going to settle for an 'OK' education?" Mueller asked the board. She added she was unable to attend the special board meeting April 26 because of the seventh and eighth grade band concert.
Chairman Brent Barkman told Mueller, "We did what we felt we needed to do at the special board meeting."
Superintendent Gordon Mohn told Mueller the district has a deficiency of $350,000.
In Mueller's letter, she states, "I realize that money is an issue and that cuts will probably have to be made, but should we start with the teachers and classes?"
During the meeting Mueller stated she would be willing to pay for her children to participate in sports.
"I think we're looking at the wrong places to cut," Mueller said.
HHS band director Gregg Walker asked the board to approve a band trip to Six Flags Over Texas in May 2005. He also requested funds to pay for the cost of transportation and expense for sponsors.
The board gave permission to the band for the trip but did not approve any additional expenditures.
The Trojan Band Booster Club will help raise funds for the trip with a fund-raising goal of $10,000. The total cost per student for the trip was estimated at $221. There are 45 students participating in band.
Accommodations for the trip are being made through EPN Travel Services. With every 25 students, EPN will provide one sponsor the same accommodations at no cost.
The event is a three-part competition, said Walker. The band will be judged for marching, concert, and jazz performances.
A total of $4,200 is budgeted for the band trip.
Fund-raising efforts include concessions at the Hillsboro 120th Birthday and Family Folk Festival/All-School Reunion, booth during Arts and Crafts Fair, concert and CD proceeds, and game concessions.
Mohn told the board this was a reasonable request and it is good for the band. He pointed out it was about the same distance as Cavalcade of Music and recommended approval.
Policy requires the board to approve all out-of-state trips.
