School district offers solution for MB church
Staff writer
Hillsboro school superintendent, Gordon Mohn, told USD 410 board members Monday night that the high school gym and cafeteria facilities had been offered to the Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church for programs and worship.
According to Mohn, the church will be using the facilities for two weeks but could use them longer if needed.
"We could do it for two years if they wanted to use the high school long term," said Mohn.
He told the board that the only charges, if the church did want to use the building, would be custodial.
Mohn also told the board that the schools will allow staff needing time away because of the fire to take time off without using their leave. He said that the counselors were concerned about students because of the tragedy and encouraged teachers to allow talk and open discussion.
Hillsboro Middle School principal, Corey Burton, reported that the second floor of the school had problems with smoke on Monday, and some of the classes had to be moved.
"It's not bad now," said Burton. "We've gotten it pretty well aired out."
Hillsboro High School principal Dale Honeck told the board that the high school "had a good day considering the possibilities." He said that Rod Jost, youth pastor for the Hillsboro MB church, spoke to youth group members from 10:30 to 11:15 Monday.
"I think it was really a wise thing to do," said Honeck.
Honeck also updated the board on enrollment issues for the upcoming school year. Next year's sophomore and freshmen classes will be some of the largest classes ever at the high school and will cause some re-working of teacher class loads in the English and business departments.
Burton also told the board that the middle school was working on a value card to be used as a fund raiser for the school. The card isn't completed yet, but 17 businesses are participating.
Activities director, Max Heinrichs, reported that the sub-state tournaments at the high school had gone well and that spring sports were getting started.
In his report to the board, Mohn said that a complaint regarding a biology textbook had been evaluated and that the board is planning to take no action on the issue. The complaint referred to the textbook's teaching of evolution as opposed to creationism. Mohn said that there had been no other complaints; therefore, school administrators don't see a need to change the curriculum.
The board discussed upcoming legislation as it regards to education and the impact of a mill levy increase if needed for school finance. According to Mohn's report, if the mill levy increases by 5.7, a home appraised at $100,000 would see an annual increase of approximately $33. A mill levy increase by 6.5 would raise the same property taxes by about $37 annually. A business appraised at $70,000 would have a tax increase of approximately $100 with the 5.7 option and about $114 with the 6.5 levy increase.
The board also went over options for the 2004-2005 school year schedules, discussed beliefs regarding teacher performance, and reviewed the policy for evaluation of classified employees.
