School bus wrecked, high school honored

1/28/09

BY ANNE KAZMIERCZAK Register Reporter

HUMBOLDT — “We had a pretty severe bus wreck tonight,” superintendent Bob Heigele said, preluding the USD 258 Board of Education meeting Monday. The accident involved a 52-passenger school bus driven by Carrol Baker.
“We were close to the end of the route,” Heigele said, so only nine children were still aboard when the bus was hit by a propane truck. The bus was driving west on Arizona road, Heigele said, when a D and D propane truck pulled into its path.
“He pretty much knocked us into the ditch and tore the wheels off the bus,” Heigele said.
The bus, only three years old, is totaled, Heigele added. “It got hit hard.”
The driver of the truck, Julia A. Roberts, was cited by Allen County Sheriff’s Department for failure to yield.
All nine children were reported to be fine this morning, but the school district will continue to check in with them to be sure no injuries were overlooked. One child was taken by her parents to the hospital yesterday immediately following the accident. She was examined and sent home.
In the regular meeting, the board accepted the resignation of middle and high school computer technology teacher Prism Glynn, who is moving away from the area. “It’s a loss,” Heigele said.
The board also gave approval to their technology plan, opting to add three “tech-rich” classrooms to the middle and high school by next fall.
“The teachers have already been trained,” grades 6 - 12 Principal K.B. Criss said. Prices for equipment will be discussed at next month’s meeting. Funds will come from the capital budget.
An agreement to let 800 bicyclists use the Humboldt gymnasium and other facilities this spring was also approved.
The group, Biking Across Kansas, will be in Humboldt June 11, Heigele said, and will need two meals during their stay.
In other business, Darcy Rodriguez was approved to take over Glen Klein’s position on the USD 258 Recreation Commission.
A “Fun and Family Expo” will be held in the community field house Jan. 20, Elementary Principal Kay Bolt said. There will be booths on fluoridation, tobacco use, nutrition and scoliosis, and participating children will have the opportunity to win one of two bicycles, Bolt said.
The elementary school is beginning an after school walking program, Bolt said. Members of the Leos, a youth group affiliated with the Lions Club, will walk with children two afternoons a week at the community building track. Children have a chance to win wrist bands for their efforts.
Just over 70 percent of grade 6-12 students made the honor roll, Criss reported, and the high school was again selected at the bronze level by U.S. News and World Report as a Best High School of America. The school’s size, coupled with sampling criteria, mean bronze is the highest level Humboldt can achieve in the competition, Criss said. More than 21,000 high schools nationwide were evaluated. It was the second year in a row Humboldt made the list. Only a very few schools achieve back to back awards, Criss said.
Criss is looking to place five students as apprentices with local businesses as part of the town’s “Rebuilding the Square” program.
A potential buyer has expressed interest in the house the Building Trades class’ is working on, Heigele said. The building is not yet completed.