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School board briefs

By Staff | Aug 15, 2001

Reading Recovery eligible for state funding
The school district’s Reading Recovery program, which is designed to bring first-graders’ reading skills up to their grade level, is in line to receive state funding.
Tammie George, elementary school assistant principal, told school board members Monday that the Kansas Legislature has made available a total of $160,000 to be divided among schools who have a trained Reading Recovery teacher leader. At Tonganoxie, Deniece Wakeman received training last year and is now training teachers from other districts.
“From $17,000 to $20,000 should be coming to us,” George told board members. “We should know in a month or two.”

Board members to serve on several committees
Board members on Monday approved a board goals policy, and a curriculum policy development policy.
The following board members were appointed to serve on these district committees:
School improvement/curriculum: Richard Dean and Terry Needham.
Capital improvement: Phil Weide and Darlyn Hansen.
Calendar: Ron Moore.
Technology: Darlyn Hansen.
Negotiations: Bob DeHoff and Terry Needham.
Insurance: Rick Lamb.
Grievance: Bob DeHoff and Terry Needham.

Elementary school sports new tile flooring
Tammie George, elementary school assistant principal, reported that new tile flooring has been installed in the grade school hallways, replacing carpeting.
“I commend the board for doing that,” George said. “The whole hallway smells fresher and cleaner than what it was and it looks so much lighter.”
When asked about an increase in maintenance time to clean the tile floors, janitor Art Sorenson said he didn’t think it would take a lot more time.
He said the school owns a power-driven mopping machine that holds 20 gallons of water.

Board member offers cost-cutting idea
As a cost-cutter, board member Darlyn Hansen recommended that when the district negotiates for supplies and equipment, it should also try to negotiate for free shipping.
“If you go through the freight bills, usually 10 percent of the cost is shipping and handling,” Hansen said.
“It’s a small item, but if you looked over the course of a year it might surprise you how much it is.”
Superintendent Richard Erickson agreed.
“I think he’s got a good point,” Erickson said. “I think we should look at shipping and try to reduce those costs.”
Board OKs purchase
of van, flatbed truck
Board members voted to purchase a used van for $4,500.
The vehicle is six years old and has 94,000 miles.
Erickson said he and automotive instructor Kenny Hardy looked at the van.
Board members also approved the purchase of a 1994 flatbed truck for $5,650.
This cost includes trade-ins on two of the district’s older vehicles a 1976 van and a pickup truck.

Internet education program gains popularity
Darren Neas, junior high assistant principal, told school board members on Monday that the district’s virtual school program, an Internet program through which home-schooled students can take classes, has grown.
Last year the program had the equivalent of three full-time students, a number that appears to be increasing to five full-time students this year, Neas said.
Erickson said the program turned out to be profitable last year.
“On the virtual school, we paid out $9,600 last year and we took in about $15,000,” Erickson said. “We have made a little bit more than what we brought in. I think this year it will be the same.”

Resignations, new hires approved for district
Following an executive session, the board:
Approved resignations of Andrea Putthoff as bus driver, Julie Lesher as cafeteria worker and Cheryl Hassinger as cheerleader sponsor.
Hired Sylvia Kesinger as bus driver, Julie Lesher as a van driver and Bonnie Yunghans as cheerleading sponsor.
The board did not hire an art teacher to replace high school teacher Larry Percy, who resigned this summer to teach college. The high school will start the year with a substitute art teacher.