Civil rights probe; Federal officials investigating complaint filed against USD 234

Posted on August 15, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

The Office for Civil Rights is conducting an investigation into a complaint filed by a parent against USD 234, Superintendent Diane Gross said Tuesday.

Gross told school board members about the complaint during Monday night’s regularly scheduled board meeting following a budget hearing. OCR personnel are currently interviewing district staff.

Gross said the complaint was filed sometime last year, but the new superintendent was unable to comment on the specifics surrounding the case. Gross replaced former superintendent Rick Werling on July 1.

“I’d rather not do that right now,” Gross said. “I can’t elaborate (on the complaint).”

The OCR enforces five federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and age in programs that receive federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Education, the Department of Education website said. A complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged discrimination.

“If something happens and a parent or student feels like their civil rights have been violated, they have an avenue to file a complaint,” Gross said.

Typically, Gross said a district will try to cooperate and share facts with the investigating parties.

Calls to the Office for Civil Rights regional office in Kansas City, Mo., were not returned Tuesday.

Superintendent, board begin work on goals

Posted on August 15, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Following the USD 234 district budget hearing on Monday evening, school board members approved a change in board policy regarding the annual report to allow Superintendent Diane Gross to deliver it monthly, rather than annually.

In her August monthly report, Gross said since taking on the role of superintendent she has began to formulate a foundation for establishing the district’s new mission statement and goals.

“I would go as far as to say it’s about putting us all on the same page as to … the main objectives we are trying to address,” Gross said told board members.

The seven-member school board began considering changing the district’s goals and mission statement at the end of 2011.

Business Manager Tiffany Forester said in a past Tribune article that board members thought it would be a “good idea” to review the statements because the district’s goals may not be the same as they were in the early 1990s.

“What they (the school board) ended up doing was kind of putting that (district goals) on hold until a new superintendent was hired,” Gross said. “So I took the information that was shared with me when I began and began using that as a foundation.”

Gross outlined six goals for the district, in no particular order, that would replace the district’s current objectives, which were adopted in October 1993:

They include:

* Community engagement with the parent/family environment

* Curriculum instruction and assessment

* Recruit, retain and train highly effective staff

* Build capacity for use of technology operation and instruction

* Develop a long-range facilities plan

All of the revised goals include action plans to help the district fulfill its ambitions and explain the value and importance of each.

Gross said she will continue to meet with building administrators to “get some indicators” as to where certain individuals would like to see the direction of the district go.

“I eventually will be working with teams of teachers from each of the buildings to really put the action plan into place so that we are all taking ownership of these goals,” Gross said. “Some discussions will include community leaders and different organizations, as well.”

It’s important that community members understand and “take ownership” of education locally, Gross said.

District goals serve as an “agreement” among staff, that are adopted through the school board.

In other business, the board:

* Heard that the staff opening ceremony will be held at 7:30 a.m., Monday, Aug. 20. Gross said it will include several presentations, a performance by the Fort Scott High School drumline and a few words from school board President Janet Braun.

* The district’s reception for new employees will be held at 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10, at the Board Office before the school board’s monthly meeting. Board Secretary Connie Billionis said the informal reception provides an opportunity for new employees to meet board members.

* Approved a 5-cent increase in the price of adult lunch fees, according to a news release.

The full price for an adult lunch was $3.15 at the end of July. A full price breakfast was $1.95.

* Approved hiring: Angela Kemmerer, early childhood coordinator in the Early Steps to Success Program; Nancy Geneva, Fort Scott Middle School ticket clerk; Jenna Campbell, Fort Scott High School assistant freshman volleyball coach; Erin Broadbent, Winfield Scott Elementary School counselor; Dustin Wiley, Eugene Ware Elementary School physical education teacher; and Jared Martin, FSMS football coach.

The panel also approved the following employment matters: The resignation of Jeanie Murrow, Eugene Ware paraeducator; the resignation of Julie Mewhinney, Fort Scott Middle School ticket clerk; retirement request of Phyllis Combs, FSHS cook; and a maternity leave of absence request for Amy Hixon, FSMS science teacher.

A special board workshop is scheduled for 5 p.m. today with Doug Moeckel, of the Kansas Association of School Boards at the Board Office. The workshop is meant to assist board members with the transition into the school year with the new superintendent.

Enrollment dates set for local schools

Posted on July 31, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tribune Staff Report

Enrollment dates have been set for all grade levels in the USD 234 school district.

On Aug. 1 and 2, students in all grade levels including those for the Fort Scott Preschool Center, will be able to enroll at Fort Scott Middle School in the commons area. Anyone unable to attend either of those days will need to go to their respective school office at a later date to enroll, according to information provided by the district office.

Times for enrollment will be:

* 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Aug. 1.

* 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 2.

In order to enroll children into kindergarten at Winfield Scott Elementary School, the child must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31. Parents must bring a state-certified birth certificate, immunization record, health assessment and Social Security card. Children who attended kindergarten roundup will still need to enroll at FSMS.

All fees will need to be paid at the time of enrollment. Textbook fees will be $30 for all schools, plus a $15 activity fee for Fort Scott High School students. Books will be issued on the first day of school.

Certain courses at both FSMS and FSHS will require additional fees or the purchase of project materials. All FSMS students will attend a theatrical performance during the school year and the art fee for this activity is $10 and can be paid at enrollment.

FSMS technology students will also be assessed a $4 fee. New middle school students will need to purchase a gym uniform for $12.50 at J&W Sports Shop, 20 N. Main.

FSHS students interested in enrolling in photography courses will need to pay an additional $30 fee. Parking permits for students driving to school are $5. Students with previous permits can reuse them but must present them at enrollment. Students wishing to purchase a parking permit must have their restricted or driver’s license and license tag number with them. Freshman orientation for incoming freshman will be Monday, Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. in the FSHS auditorium.

The first day of school for the district is Tuesday, Aug. 21. The various schools will be open on Aug. 20 for students and parents to locate classrooms at the following times: Winfield Scott, 5- 6 p.m.; Eugene Ware, 5:30-7 p.m.; FSMS 6-7:30 p.m.; and FSHS, 6:30-8 p.m.

Representatives from each school will be available to process enrollment forms and information on both days.

Students who wish to participate in the district’s food service program should put money into their account at enrollment to be served on the first day of school.

Rates are as follows, but may be increased if federal support is reduced, according to information provided by the district office.

Kindergarten-fifth grade: Full price lunch $2.10; full price breakfast $1.45; reduced lunch 40 cents; reduced breakfast 30 cents.

Sixth-12th grade: Full price lunch, $2.25; full priced breakfast, $1.45; reduced lunch, 40 cents; reduced breakfast, 30 cents.

Adult: Full price lunch, $3.15; full price breakfast, $1.95.

Student and adult milk is 35 cents.

Student and adults main dish only: $1.85; and pastry $1.

USD 234 mill levy stays at 2011-12 level

Posted on July 17, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton, The Fort Scott Tribune

USD 234 Board of Education members met on Monday night in what was considered a special meeting.

Board members spent the majority of the meeting in executive session to discuss issues relating to “personnel matters”.

After the closed portion of the meeting concluded, business manager Tiffany Forester informed the board that she spoke with a representative at the Office of Labor Relations in Topeka about the teacher contract negotiations. Forester said she was told that “they will be assigning a case number and then sending the case on to federal mediators” soon.

“They gave no estimate on time for this,” Forester said, referring to when talks will continue.

Forester also gave a review of the district’s 2012-2013 budget to the board. One of her goals, she said, was to keep the mill levy the same at 43.972, which she was able to do.

According to the projected budget, the assessed valuation of all funds excluding the general fund has also increased about $1 million.

“So that is a good sign,” Forester told the other board members.

School board president Janet Braun said it appears

to her that “things are in place” for the coming schoool year.

A budget hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. August 13 at the board office, 424 S. Main. The budget has to be submitted to the state before August 25.

District, teachers to file papers for federal mediation

Posted on July 16, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Saturday, July 14, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Having failed to reach an agreement over a loyalty stipend and health insurance, talks between USD 234 and the Fort Scott, Kan., National Education Association have reached a standstill.

Authorized by the school board, district officials presented what they called their “last, best and final” offer of a 1 percent salary increase for 2012-2013, advanced degree movement and one step up within the salary schedule. The teachers’ union had agreed to the district’s proposal, but also requested an increase to the health insurance contribution and some form of “loyalty stipend” for some 45 employees who did not receive any back pay from the recouped lost steps last week.

“I think I already know what we will say after discussion,” Fort Scott High School social science teacher and KNEA lead negotiator Roberta Lewis said.

After less than five minutes of talking over the board’s final offer — minus the loyalty stipend — Lewis returned with the teachers’ response: no.

Fort Scott High School social science teacher and KNEA lead negotiator Roberta Lewis stares straight ahead after announcing the teachers’ union refused to accept USD 234 district’s “last, best and final” offer for 2012-2013 teacher contracts during negotiations Friday morning at the board office. Both parties filed joint impasse papers and will await the appointment of a federal mediator to continue talks.(Angelique McNaughton/Herald-Tribune)

“I’ve told you everything I can tell you. We’ve tried to present everything as fairly as possible to the rest of the board members,” school board president and district spokeswoman Janet Braun said. “I don’t think we can move any further.”

Business Manager Tiffany Forester immediately began filling out the joint impasse papers to send to the Office of Labor Relations in Topeka requesting that a federal mediator step in and attempt to break the deadlock. If the mediation fails, a “fact-finding” panel of experts would be appointed to further dissect the district’s budget and make recommendations to the school board.

Deputy Clerk/Secretary Connie Billionis said this is not the first time teacher negotiations have reached impasse. Billionis couldn’t remember when the last time was, though.

“It doesn’t happen often, but it’s happened,” she said.

After the meeting, Winfield Scott Elementary At-Risk teacher Linda Jackson said, “we just want what’s fair for the teachers; that’s it.”

The collective bargaining process began at the end of March, covering items such as salaries and the district’s health insurance contribution. Both sides have gone back and forth amicably, frequently praising the other for their efforts but respectfully declining the offers.

New Superintendent Diane Gross said when she was at a school district in Liberal, teacher negotiations reached an impasse, but were settled before official action was taken. A contract was not ready for the beginning of the school year in Liberal, Gross said, which created “a lot of uncertainty” and flagging teacher morale.

“This is not the ideal way to start (the school year), and especially from my seat,” Gross said. “I was hoping we would have some sort of agreement.”

Approximately 154 teachers are waiting for the conclusion of the talks. Educators recently accepted the district’s offer to use end-of-the-year funds to recoup lost steps from 2009 through 2012. District officials also agreed to forfeit any new state money — about $148,000 — to fund the salary increases and step movements. The money comes from the state legislature’s proposed $58 increase in base state aid per pupil.

School board members also recently agreed to award classified district staff a 2 percent salary increase and one step on the staff salary schedule. The original proposal included both administrators and classified staff, about 172 total, but board members did not approve the raises for administrators.

“My understanding is that the 2 percent for the classified staff is minimal compared to the certified staff,” Gross said. “Our certified staff and buildings cannot operate without the support of paraeducators and it takes everybody to operate the system to be the best we can be and classified staff have not seen a raise and (are) not getting any recouped steps.”

During the negotiation meeting, a district teacher who asked to remain anonymous, said the classified staff raises “didn’t help” the teachers’ decision to reject the district’s offer.

Federal mediators will contact the district to set up an available date to continue conversations in about four to six weeks.

A special school board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday.

A majority of that gathering will be spent in executive session.

Teacher talks reaching conclusion

Posted on July 10, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

After nearly three hours of negotiations, USD 234 officials and Fort Scott Kansas National Education Association members failed to reach an agreement regarding salaries and the district’s health insurance contribution for the 2012-2013 school year.

Representatives from both sides, including new Superintendent Diane Gross, met Monday at the board office to discuss items still up for negotiation on teacher contracts for the coming school year. Educators recently accepted the district’s offer to use end-of-the-year funds to recoup lost steps from 2009 through 2012 as a separate item. Checks were made available on July 3 for those who were eligible.

District officials had previously promised to forfeit any new money — totaling about $148,000 — acquired from the state legislature’s proposed $58 increase in base state aid per pupil funding to help pay for salary increases or step movement.

School board president and spokeswoman Janet Braun said based on available funds, the district could offer one of two proposals: a 2 percent raise and funding for advanced degree movement, but no step movement within the salary schedule; or advanced degree movement, one step within the salary schedule and a 1 percent raise. Neither district offer included any additional contribution for employee health insurance.

After discussing the offers, Fort Scott KNEA representatives declined both scenarios counter-proposing a $30 contribution to health insurance and a one-time “loyalty stipend,” or bonus, for some 45 individuals considered “stuck” in the salary schedule and who didn’t receive any back pay from the lost steps. The bonuses would cost the district about $22,000.

Fort Scott High School social science teacher and KNEA lead negotiator Roberta Lewis said, “we have a hard time letting our experienced teachers go backwards.

“We feel that those who voted for the offer (to recoup lost steps) and got nothing, they deserve something more,” Lewis said. “We would accept $25 on the insurance, but we would like the bonus for those people.”

After going back and forth for most of the morning, district representatives agreed to the $25 health contribution, but Braun said the insurance offer only stands without the bonus.

“The bonus is the problem,” Braun said. “The new money stops with 1 percent and advanced degrees and we can’t go over the new money at this point. We just feel like the district has other needs and we want to give you all the new money, but we can’t take it away from the other people or things.”

Money has been the most contentious item during this round of negotiations, with both sides refusing to budge. Fort Scott KNEA representatives continue to ask for salary increases while district officials contend they’ve offered all they can afford while still leaving the district fiscally responsible.

“The board came to us with their parameters,” Lewis said. “With our people, we ask that they try to find the additional money to give them (teachers).”

The teachers are willing to compromise, Lewis said, if the board “gives us something to work with.

“We’ll see what we can do from that, but we ultimately feel like they need something and we want them to get that,” she said.

Braun said the district’s proposals were the “last and best final offers.

“I had gone as far as I can go based on what I was told by other board members and that was as far as they felt comfortable going,” Braun said.

Both parties did agree to revise and clarify language referring to personal and sick days. It was decided that personal and sick days would be considered under discretionary leave, allowing more flexibility for educators under the negotiated agreement.

Braun brought the results of the negotiations to fellow board members at an executive session at Monday’s regular board meeting. The next scheduled teacher contract negotiations are scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.

“My guess is we’ll either settle, or we’ll file for impasse because that’s where we are,” Braun said.

Middle school sports; USD 234 trustees turn down interscholastic proposal

Posted on March 6, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Once again, middle school athletics dominated the conversation at Monday’s regularly scheduled USD 234 board meeting.

Tom Davis, intramural director at Fort Scott Middle School and one of five members of the intramural sports committee formed after the January board meeting, spent a little under an hour presenting the committee’s recommendation to trustees regarding introducing interscholastic sports to middle school athletics.

“It was not a simple task and there are some weaknesses,” Davis said of the recommendation. “We wanted to look at what was best for students, parents and the community.”

After carefully considering the recommendation and budget concerns, a motion was made to approve the committee’s recommendation. Only after all votes were in did it become apparent the recommendation wouldn’t get the four votes it needed to go into effect during the 2012-2013 school year. So as of now, no FSMS sports will become interscholastic during the 2012-2013 school year.

The committee’s recommendation was for sixth and seventh-grade athletics to keep intramural sports but for eighth-grade athletics to become interscholastic, enabling them to play other schools. The recommendation did not cut any programs, but would cost the district an additional $7,500 out of the general fund.

Board members biggest reservations regarding the recommendation were budget related.

“There is just a little bit of wiggle room in the budget so that we could provide for interscholastic at the eighth-grade level this year,” Business Manager Tiffany Forester said. “But I don’t know about next year or the year after.”

As of last night, school board members have yet to set fees for the 2012-2013 school year.

School Board President Janet Braun said they are waiting to hear what the state legislature will do with education funding. With that in mind, board members said they are not comfortable taking $7,500 out of a budget that is not set.

“I’m struggling with the money,” board member Justin Meeks said. “We have the money to do this, but would it hinder us (from) doing other things?”

Although school board members denied the middle school athletic committee’s recommendation, the panel approved a motion to reconsider the recommendation for the 2013-2014 school year, pending funding.

Board members said the motion emphasizes their support, just not right now, due to funding.

In other business:

* The board approved employment and leave of absence requests for the following: Employment of Morgan Ratliff as the high school assistant softball coach; the employment of Allison Gorman as the middle school boys and girls’ tennis coach; a leave of absence request from Connie Niel, a Eugene Ware teacher; and the transfer of Amy Lybarger from her math and language arts position at FSMS to sixth-grade language arts and social studies for the 2012-2013 school year.

* Heard information about the April 20 Wellness Fair. Superintendent Rick Werling said health care professionals, including a pharmacist and a dietitian, will be present.

Werling said the fair will also feature healthy eating testing, stress and money management advice, as well as other fitness related activities, including Zumba.

* Update on the superintendent search: Forester said the interview dates for the applicants have been established as well as any other accommodations that need to be made for applicants and their spouses.

Following the recommendation of Doug Moeckel of the Kansas Association of School Boards, who will be leading the search, the school board sent formal invitations for community members to attend March 15 focus groups that will discuss desirable characteristics for the new superintendent.

“The process is moving,” Braun said. “That’s what were saying.”

Board members mull hiring options for coming school year

Posted on March 1, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

Multiple open teacher and administrative positions in the district prompted a recent special

meeting of the USD 234 school board.

Board members discussed policy and procedures for hiring administrators and teachers for the coming school year following resignation and retirement announcements from several teachers and four administrators, including Superintendent Rick Werling.

Trustees said their primary concern in considering hiring options was the monetary aspect of the process because of the already strained budget.

“We’re just trying to be fiscally responsible in terms of filling positions,” school board President Janet Braun said.

Ultimately, board members approved the administrators’ recommendation for filling all vacant positions in the three schools and hiring a new at-risk/Title I teacher at Eugene Ware Elementary School.

In deciding to hire and fill positions, board member Justin Meeks said it all came down to the fact that “we can’t get rid of any teachers or programs.”

He was referring to the elimination of some high school programs in 2010.

“We made the right decision (on Friday). It’s definitely what the administrators want us to do and it’s the right thing,” Meeks said. “We need the teachers that we have because we have cut back so much in the last three years. It would have been detrimental if we hadn’t filled the staff and we don’t want to make classrooms sizes any bigger.”

With the district facing diminishing state funds the past three years, board members were pleased that the options approved will result in no extra cost to USD 234.

The state funds salaries for at-risk/Title I teachers; it does not come out of the general fund.

“Whatever we’re doing,” board member Belynda Davenport said, “it’s not costing a dime.”

In considering hiring options and remaining “fiscally responsible,” board members also took into account the three-year freeze on teacher salaries.

Members even considered eliminating a position or two in the district to possibly open up more options for movement within the USD 234 salary schedule. However, it was decided that any money saved from that would not have been enough for salary increases.

“We’re trying to make it work with what we have,” Braun said. “Because of funding, we have tried to do what we can for the teachers we have.”

To help offset the lack of salary increases, teachers have seen a 4.41 percent increase in benefits throughout the last four years. Negotiating teams representing USD 234 teachers and the district will be presenting their salary concerns to the board sometime in the spring or early summer.

Tonight and on March 15, two more special meetings of the school board will be held to discuss the hiring process for Werling, who announced his resignation at the Feb. 13 board meeting.

Doug Moeckel, associate executive director of leadership for the Kansas Association of School Boards, will introduce focus groups and ultimately assist the panel in searching for a new superintendent.

Also on Friday, members approved the resignation of both Jodi Taylor, a high school cook, and Gabrielle Studer, a high school English teacher, and a retirement request from Sally Cullor, a middle school reading teacher.

As of Tuesday afternoon, all open positions in the district had been posted on the district’s website with corresponding application and contact information.

Superintendent, principals retiring

Posted on February 17, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Thursday, February 16, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

After 32 years with USD 234, Rick Werling has announced his plans to step down as superintendent and request early retirement effective at the end of his current contract on June 30.

“I have my health and I’m at retirement age,” Werling said. “So it’s the time to go.”

Originally from Hill City, Kan., Werling started working in summer camps with children while he attended college at Concordia University in Seward, Neb. He earned his master’s from Wichita State University and his doctorate from the University of Kansas. Superintendent since 2003, Werling joined the district as principal at Winfield Scott Elementary School and remained so for 13 years.

“I’ve just always been around children and all of a sudden there aren’t going to be any,” Werling said. “It will be a real change.”

When he and his wife, Cathy, first moved to Fort Scott to work for USD 234 in 1980, they thought it would be a temporary stay.

“Only planned to stay a couple years but we just fell in love,” Werling said.

While Cathy will continue to teach first grade at Winfield Scott Elementary, Werling said he plans on spending his extra time with family, especially his first grandchild.

“She lives in Kansas City and retirement will allow me more time with her,” Werling said.

The school board received Werling’s request for early retirement at their Feb. 13 meeting. Six others also submitted letters of resignation to the board including Sheryl Bloomfield, a Winfield Scott Elementary teacher; Debbie Miller, a special educator at Eugene Ware Elementary; Carol Davis, a teacher’s aide at Fort Scott Middle School; Kathleen Norris, a custodian at Fort Scott Middle School; and Stephanie Grantham, a Fort Scott Middle School technology teacher.

An early retirement option, available to educators for more than 10 years, stipulates that those who fall between the ages of 55 and 64 can take early retirement. Those who opt to take advantage this are eligible to receive a $5,000 a year bonus that ends at the age of 64 for up to five years. Retirees are also able to remain on their school’s insurance policy.

Board members describe the unusually high amount of letters received for retirement as sheer coincidence.

“We knew that this would happen some years,” School Board president Janet Braun said. “They all just happened to be in that age group and have decided to take advantage of it. It’s actually a good situation for the employee.”

Board Secretary Connie Billionis, who has also been with the district for 30 years, said she’ll be especially sad to see longtime Fort Scott Middle School Principal Barbara Albright go.

“It’s going to be hard to see her go,” said Billionis, who was Albright’s former secretary. “I’ve never seen anyone who is so willing to give so much to the children.”

Albright joins Werling as one of four administrators leaving their position. Last month, Winfield Scott Elementary Principal Billie Jo Drake and Penny Province, special education and testing coordinator, also sent in requests for early retirement.

Albright, a Fort Scott native who also grew up in the school system, joined the district as a secretary in 1968. A middle-level educator since 1984, Albright taught many subjects ranging from language arts to social studies. She’s been FSMS principal since 1995.

“I can’t say how much it really tears me up,” Albright said. “I love the kids, the teachers, the faculty and staff members. It’s been just great a ride for me and hopefully it’s not completely over.”

With a plan to continue substitute teaching, Albright said she hopes to stay involved in the community as much as possible following retirement.

The district is losing a lot of people, Billionis said.

“It’s going to be a big turnover, but I’m excited to have new blood,” Billionis said. “It will be great and I’m looking forward to it.”

The Kansas Association of School Boards will be responsible for sifting through applications and conducting background searches on potential superintendent candidates before making recommendations to the local school board.

Collectively, the four retiring administrators’ salaries total $305,938, which comes out of the general fund. Werling makes $101,359 annually; Albright makes $77,380; and Province, $61,270. Depending on where the new hires are on the pay scale, the retirement of top administrators could potentially mean good financial news for the district, Braun said.

Within the next month, a committee will likely be formed, Billionis said, to begin the search process to fill the other vacant spots. Ideally, administrators would like to have the process complete by May.

“It will be interesting to see what new ideas are brought in,” Business Manager Tiffany Forester said. “I was just getting used to working with them, though, and I am going to be sad to see them go. It will definitely be a change.”

Sports on the Agenda

Posted on February 17, 2012 by angeliquemcnaughton

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

By Angelique McNaughton

USD 234 School Board members spent a majority of Monday night’s meeting discussing middle and high school athletics.

Board members heard from Eric Baldonado, director of rehabilitation services at Mercy Health Center, and Fort Scott High School Activities Director Larry Fink regarding the implementation of an ImPACT Testing system at the high school level.

ImPACT Testing provides comprehensive testing for concussions through a thorough evaluation of functional brain activity and is already in place at Fort Scott Community College.

“I’m bringing this to you as something we would like to implement at the high school level,” Baldonado said. “More importantly, I am bringing this to you as something to prevent high school injury that you don’t have to pay for.”

Board members approved the motion saying, “If it’s not going to cost anything and save kids, why not?”

Some 300 student athletes will be subjected to ImPACT Testing. The exam would take 30 to 45 minutes, be based on what he or she can do and it will be free.

The Mercy Health Auxiliary provided $2,400 that Boldonado said would allow three to six years of ImPACT Testing for high school athletes.

On the subject of middle school athletics, board members heard a progress report outlining the finances and options for intramural and interscholastic sports.

Tom Davis, intramural director at Fort Scott Middle School and one of five members on the intramural sports committee formed since the January board meeting, said he did not want the panel to make any kind of decision on Monday night but just wanted to give a progress report on what the committee was discussing.

Recommendations ranged from cutting intramurals at the seventh and eighth-grade level and going interscholastic to keeping intramurals at the sixth and seventh-grade level and having just five sports in eighth grade become interscholastic.

No decision was made, but many options were outlined. Board members said they would like to see a definitive recommendation in March that would allow scheduling needs to be met.

“We need direction from administrators and committee members to know what is best for the student. We don’t know,” board member Justin Meeks said.

Other items discussed at Monday night’s meeting included:

* Approval of fundraiser requests for student groups and the use of athletic/activity funds.

* The second semester enrollment count showed that total headcount is down 58 from this time one year ago, with the elementary schools taking the biggest hit.

“This is not good news,” Superintendent Rick Werling said.

* Seven employees put in requests for retirement or early retirement, including Werling.

“We have some long-standing people in the district who sent in letters and we are going to miss them,” Board President Janet Braun said.