USD #273 Board of Education
Monday, April 8, 2019
By Terry Bailey
The USD #273 Board of Education conducted their April meeting at the Board Office Monday evening, April 8.
Chance Kopsa, Beloit High Student Council president, gave his activity report to the Board. He said that the election of officers for STUCO for the upcoming school year would be taking place soon. Kopsa reported this would be his last appearance before the Board. He reported that STUCO would be serving a staff appreciation breakfast on the morning of the Beloit Relays.
In his Superintendent’s report Jeff Travis told the Board that he and representatives of the City have meet and discussed the School Resource Officer which would staff a uniformed and armed Beloit City policeman at the High School, the Elementary School, and the Alternative Learning Center on a rotating basis. No details were furnished to the press.
Karen Niemczyk, Director of the Beloit Special Ed Coop, said that on Wednesday all ALC staff will receive review training on the relational part of MANDT training. This is methodology of de-escalating volatile situations with a non-aggressive remedy.
Niemczyk reported that the ALC staff will undergo the Boys Town Specialized Classroom Model training from June 3rd through June 7th.
Niemczyk said she was happy to report that Baylee Kampfe has accepted the Coop’s offer to complete her practicum and internship with the Coop. It is standard practice for schools to hire these individuals as psychometricians who administer and interpret various psychological tests. This will led to Kampfe’s employment as a school psychologist.
Cassie Kopsa, Assistant Director of the Special Ed Coop, reported on the Infant-Toddler program which she directs. Kopsa said she anticipates receiving approximately $38,000 in grant money for the program in the upcoming year.
Brady Dean, BES Principal, introduced a team of five teachers led by Connie Adams, who had recently traveled to Ottawa, Kansas to review their reading education program with is known to be an exemplary program. They discussed the various components of the program and how they all worked together to offer a comprehensive approach to teaching reading. This is the third year for the Ottawa schools to work with the program and they are very impressed with the success of their students. Dean said he would present the financial implications of implementing such a program in Beloit at the next Board meeting.
Casey Seyfert, Beloit Jr. Sr. High Principal, reported that the school is in full swing with state assessments. Generally the process has went smoothly and the use of the Chromebooks has been helpful in completing the testing process.
Seyfert said that the KSHSAA Large Group Festival is be hosted by Beloit Jr Sr High this Wednesday. The choir, band and orchestra will perform.
Ms. Eilert has been working diligently on enrolling students and constructing a master schedule. This is a complicated and time consuming process which will allow all the students to take the classes they want to take.
Dental screening were performed on March 8th by the staff of Dental Designs. Students requiring dental treatment and are unable to afford treatment may be eligible for free treatment in Salina.
The Board approved membership in the Kansas State Association of School Boards. The yearly fee is $10,635 with an additional $2,100 for legal assistance. They also approved membership in the Smoky Hills Central Kansas Educational Service Center.
Summer project bids were approved for:
Hallway and library ceiling tile replacement at Beloit Elementary to Fugate Construction in the amount of $11,730.
Resurfacing of the Beloit High Track including patching holes and totally resurfacing the long/triple jump runways in the amount of $105,140.
Purchase of various technology hardware in the amount of $44,707.
A ten minute executive session was conducted. No action was taken as a result of this closed session.