School board sells house

A stormy evening didn’t fluster the Humboldt school board Monday night as they calmly and quickly ticked off items on the agenda.
After a 45 minute executive session to discuss personnel matters, the board did not renew the contract of fourth grade teacher Jake Lawrence and accepted the resignation of Darcie Rodriguez as middle school assistant volleyball coach.
The 2010-2011 year contracts for certified staff were approved as written.
One bid was received for the USD 258 building trades home at 1220 Cherokee St. The winning bid, from Beverly Murrill, was for $100,750. A minimum bid of $90,871.26 was required.
USD 258 Superintendent Bob Heigele reported that Star Building, manufacturer of the school’s roof, inspected it last week and found problems in the way the roof had been installed that have led to leaking.
Weigel Construction of Overland Park did the installation work and will be scheduled to repair the mistakes.

HIGH SCHOOL journalism teacher Kim Isbell was lauded for the school’s receiving second place at a state journalism competition in Lawrence recently. Three students won individual state championships: Alexis Hosack, senior, editing; Brandi Malloy, junior, yearbook layout; and Cheyanna Colborn, sophomore, advertising.
High school FFA competed in Manhattan, placing seventh of 30 teams.
“We did well, I was proud of them,” said adviser Matt Kerr.
Junior Connor Stirewalt placed first in the state in proficiency in forest management for his post cutting business, Kerr noted.
Stirewalt began the business cutting and marketing fence posts last year, when he won at the district level, Kerr said. Stirewalt was required to submit a complete business plan with financial statements including earnings, equipment lists and goals, to the competition. He will take the plan to the national competition in Indianapolis in late October, Kerr said. Stirewalt will be honored for his achievement at the state FFA convention June 2-4 in Manhattan.
Kerr added that the FFA greenhouse is open for business, sporting bedding plants, hanging baskets and potted flowers. The greenhouse is open during regular school hours, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, and is located at 1020 New York St. Check in at the school front desk for service.

THIRD GRADE teacher Joyce Hellwig was recognized for 41 years of service with the district. She is retiring.
Also recognized was elementary teacher’s aide and crossing guard Mary Bonczkowski, retiring after 24 years.
Retiring from ANW Special Education Coop are elementary teacher Diana Pattinson, who worked primarily out of Chanute and was hired in 1978, and speech and language pathologist Julie Croisant, who served Humboldt and Iola for 19 years.
Croisant’s departure leaves a second speech and language pathologist position open. Don Hauser noted a current opening has remained unfilled for four years due to lack of qualified applicants.
A reception for Heigele, who is retiring at the end of the school year, will be from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday at the superintendent’s office. All staff and community members are welcomed to the send off.