USD 258 ready to roll

By ANNE KAZMIERCZAK
Register Reporter
USD 258 is ready for the coming academic year, Humboldt principals told the board Monday.
Some teachers have been preparing since July for the coming year, noted elementary principal Kay Bolt.
“Custodians are finishing up last minute details in all the buildings,” she added. That done, “We’re ready to go,” she said.

A $45,000 Health Care Foundation grant was received by the district to fund a full-time school nurse, the board noted. Megan Anderson will spilt her time between the elementary and high schools, Bolt and high school prinicpal Craig Smith told the board.
Humboldt received a fresh fruit and vegetable grant from the Child Nutrition and Wellness division of Kansas Department of Education. The grant will be used to enhance nutritional intake of students by introducing them to fresh produce. No dollar amount was given.
In the high school, existing furnishings will be used to “define the academic area” in an otherwise multi-use space to segregate students with behavioral issues and those under in-school suspension from those engaged in “credit recovery” (students making up missed work) and nontraditional students working on General Education Degree requirements, said high school principal Craig Smith. Cubicles from the old technology lab will help define work centers in the school’s alternative learning center, he said.
Smith will be reviewing job descriptions and curricula as part of his first year as Humboldt High School principal, he noted.
ANW special education cooperative is examining cell phone and vehicle use policies regarding personal use of such equipment to conform with tax codes, noted board representative Don Houser.

THE BOARD unanimously approved teacher-negotiated contracts for the coming year. A new speech pathologist was hired for the district. Jeremy Weilert was hired to be assistant high school football coach, head middle school basketball coach and lunch supervisor for both morning and afternoon.
A hearing on the 2010-2011 budget will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the board office.
Dielbolt Lumber of LaHarpe was given preference over Cleaver Lumber of Chanute for purchase of materials for the 2010-2011 building trades house. The two bids had only a $600 difference between them. That Dieboldt is located within Allen county proved the deciding factor. The materials list bid was accepted at $26,254.37.